Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 109,735 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 39.9% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $60,258 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $449,058 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 31.6 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta 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). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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