Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
Relocating 640 mi from Sugar Land to Tuscaloosa is a 11h 51m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
640 mi Β· 11h 51m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 59, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Houston, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.1% cheaper overall in Tuscaloosa than Sugar Land on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 57.3" |
Expect 6.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.1% β $137,511 β $48,536 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
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 Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 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 far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 640 mi and the route typically takes 11h 51m via I 10 and I 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 640 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 Tuscaloosa compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 48.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 64.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 11.1% lower than Sugar Land (87.722 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Tuscaloosa, AL.