Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Mobile, AL
Relocating between Sugar Land, TX and Mobile, AL is a 485 mi drive β 9h 2m 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.
485 mi Β· 9h 2m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 12, I 69 |
| Major cities en route | New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.7% moving from Sugar Land to Mobile β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $447,176 in Sugar Land to $194,564 in Mobile, a 10.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 60.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.6Β°F vs 69.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.7% β $137,511 β $51,090 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Mobile average 92Β°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: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 56.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 485 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mobile more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 10.7% lower than Sugar Land (88.098 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Mobile, AL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 485 mi and the route typically takes 9h 2m via I 10 and I 12. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 169,730 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 Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 62.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Mobile, AL.