Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Arlington, TX
The 276 mi from Sugar Land to Arlington translate to about 4h 57m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
276 mi Β· 4h 57m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sugar Land (98.629) and Arlington (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Arlington: 4.5% below Sugar Land on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 36.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.81 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.5% between Sugar Land and Arlington (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Arlington average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does the job market in Arlington compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 46.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Arlington more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 4.5% higher than Sugar Land (103.09 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arlington, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 276 mi and the route typically takes 4h 57m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 30.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX Β· Arlington, TX.