Moving from Mesa, AZ to Sugar Land, TX
Relocating 1164 mi from Mesa to Sugar Land is a 19h 44m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1164 mi Β· 19h 44m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mesa | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Mesa and Sugar Land sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Sugar Land ($447,176) sits close to Mesa ($435,134) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Mesa -1.8%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mesa | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.8" | 51.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.3Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sugar Land sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E MESA, AZ US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mesa | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $78,779 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.5% β $78,779 β $137,511 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Arizona 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
- 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
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.5% lower than Mesa (98.629 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Mesa vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $78,779 in Mesa β a 74.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $435,134 in Mesa β a 2.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance is 1164 mi and the route typically takes 19h 44m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Mesa 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 1164 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $48,600 in the Mesa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,289,130 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 Mesa.
City profiles: Mesa, AZ Β· Sugar Land, TX.