Moving from Knoxville, TN to Sugar Land, TX
The drive from Knoxville, TN to Sugar Land, TX runs 943 mi β about 17h 21m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
943 mi Β· 17h 21m by car Β· TN β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.569 in Knoxville to 98.629 in Sugar Land, a 6.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Sugar Land: 6.5% above Knoxville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 51.1" |
Climate warms by 12.7Β°F on the annual average β 57.9Β°F β 70.6Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Sugar Land β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.9 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.5% between Knoxville and Sugar Land (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sugar Land MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sugar Land average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Sugar Land averages 51.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 943 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 6.5% higher than Knoxville (98.629 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 943 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 21.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 169.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Sugar Land, TX.