Moving from Tempe, AZ to Sugar Land, TX
The drive from Tempe, AZ to Sugar Land, TX runs 1161 mi — about 19h 33m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1161 mi · 19h 33m by car · AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Tempe (103.316) and Sugar Land (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $468,281 vs $447,176 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 51.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sugar Land — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.9 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.5% between Tempe and Sugar Land (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sugar Land MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sugar Land average 94°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: Sugar Land averages 51.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.5% lower than Tempe (98.629 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 4.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 71.8°F in Tempe (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 8.8 in.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 77.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1161 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 1161 mi and the route typically takes 19h 33m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 3 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 Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Sugar Land, TX.