Moving from Memphis, TN to Sugar Land, TX
It is 595 mi between Memphis and Sugar Land — roughly 10h 51m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
595 mi · 10h 51m by car · TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, I 30, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.0% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $144,710 to $447,176 moving to Sugar Land.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature rises 7.2°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA normals.
Sugar Land gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 7.0% more than Memphis at the median — $51,211 → $137,511 on 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 94°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 595 mi and the route typically takes 10h 51m via US 59 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 168.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 595 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 209.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 7.0% higher than Memphis (98.629 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 63.4°F in Memphis (7.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 54.9 in.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Sugar Land, TX.