Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Clearwater, FL
The drive from Sugar Land, TX to Clearwater, FL runs 969 mi β about 18h 39m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
969 mi Β· 18h 39m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa, Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sugar Land (98.629) and Clearwater (100.89) 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 Clearwater: 2.3% below Sugar Land on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 53.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.3% between Sugar Land and Clearwater (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clearwater average 90Β°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: Clearwater averages 53.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 969 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 24.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 53.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clearwater more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 2.3% higher than Sugar Land (100.89 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 969 mi and the route typically takes 18h 39m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Clearwater, FL.