Abilene TX vs Sugar Land TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 109,735 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 42.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 66.6% | 40.6% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 7.7% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 12.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Sugar Land
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.5% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $449,058 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Sugar Land
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Sugar Land
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 71.3°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 50.4 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 31.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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