Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Irving, TX
Relocating between Sugar Land, TX and Irving, TX is a 273 mi drive — 4h 59m 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.
273 mi · 4h 59m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 69 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Irving | 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 — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 37.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.71 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.5% — $137,511 → $79,641 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 Irving 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 Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 42.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 23.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving 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.
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 51.1 in.
Is Irving more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving 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 Irving, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 4h 59m via I 45 and SHT. 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 · Irving, TX.