Moving from Rialto, CA to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1491 mi between Rialto and Sugar Land — roughly 25h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1491 mi · 25h 27m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.3% moving from Rialto to Sugar Land — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $588,566 in Rialto to $447,176 in Sugar Land, a 7.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 51.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 7.3% more than Rialto at the median — $85,521 → $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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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
When is the best time to move from Rialto 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 1491 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 66.6°F in Rialto (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 9.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 24.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 7.3% lower than Rialto (98.629 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 60.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 1491 mi and the route typically takes 25h 27m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,661,860 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 Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Sugar Land, TX.