Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Denton, TX
Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Denton, TX covers 300 mi and about 5h 27m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
300 mi · 5h 27m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 35E, SHT |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Lewisville, Fort Worth, Plano, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Denton | 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 |
Denton and Sugar Land are close on the overall BEA RPP (98.629 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 4.5% under Sugar Land at $447,176 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 38.4" |
Denton is 5.2°F cooler on the annual average (70.6°F vs 65.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Denton is 4.5% below Sugar Land ($137,511 vs $73,719, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton 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 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 Denton average 96°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 household income compare in Sugar Land vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 46.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton 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.
Is Denton more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton 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 much do homes cost in Denton compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 20.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 300 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Denton, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 300 mi and the route typically takes 5h 27m via I 45 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 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 · Denton, TX.