Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Garland, TX
Relocating between Sugar Land, TX and Garland, TX is a 272 mi drive β 4h 55m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
272 mi Β· 4h 55m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 635 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Garland | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 3.04 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.5% β $137,511 β $74,717 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garland 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 Garland average 94Β°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 far is Garland, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 272 mi and the route typically takes 4h 55m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 35.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Garland more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland 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 does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 45.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland 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.
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· Garland, TX.