Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Tyler, TX
Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Tyler, TX covers 217 mi and about 4h 16m 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.
217 mi · 4h 16m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 19, I 45, TX 155 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
Tyler is 6.6% cheaper than Sugar Land overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tyler is 6.6% below Sugar Land — $447,176 vs $251,563 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 47.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Sugar Land (70.6°F) and Tyler (66.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.86 |
Median household income in Tyler is 6.6% below Sugar Land ($137,511 vs $65,527, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
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 Tyler average 93°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 Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 52.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tyler, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 217 mi and the route typically takes 4h 16m via TX 19 and I 45. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tyler more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 6.6% lower than Sugar Land (92.156 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tyler compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 111,520 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 217 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tyler compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Tyler, TX.