Moving from Midland, TX to Sugar Land, TX
It is a 474 mi drive, roughly 9h 6m, between Midland, TX and Sugar Land, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
474 mi · 9h 6m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 71, US 87, TX 158 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Austin, Round Rock, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Midland and Sugar Land sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $328,325 in Midland to $447,176 in Sugar Land, a 3.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.6°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA 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 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 3.0% more than Midland at the median — $91,169 → $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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $328,325 in Midland — a 36.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 474 mi and the route typically takes 9h 6m via TX 71 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $91,169 in Midland — a 50.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 3.0% higher than Midland (98.629 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 65.0°F in Midland (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 13.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Midland 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 474 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 114,810 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 Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Sugar Land, TX.