Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 109,735 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 42.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 58.3% | 40.6% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,758 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $449,058 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2339 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 71.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 50.4 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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