Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Waco, TX
The 190 mi from Sugar Land to Waco translate to about 3h 42m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
190 mi · 3h 42m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, US 190, TX 99 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | College Station, Houston, Pasadena, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.629 to 92.55, putting Waco roughly 6.2% below Sugar Land on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 6.2% below Sugar Land on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.2% between Sugar Land and Waco (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
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 Waco average 95°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 Waco, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 190 mi and the route typically takes 3h 42m via TX 6 and US 190. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 56.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 190 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 6.2% lower than Sugar Land (92.55 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 51.1 in.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 62.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 125,640 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 · Waco, TX.