Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 109,735 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 42.5 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 55.3% | 40.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 12.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $449,058 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 71.3°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 50.4 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 31.6 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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