Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 53.0% | 40.6% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 7.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $449,058 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.2% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.5% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 71.3°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 50.4 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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