Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 109,735 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 27.4% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 60.0% | 7.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,758 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $449,058 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2339 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 71.3°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 50.4 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Baltimore 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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