Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 109,735 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 42.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 57.6% | 40.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $449,058 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 71.3°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.4 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 31.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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