Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 109,735 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.5 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 54.8% | 40.6% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $60,258 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 62.4% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 24.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.5% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 71.3°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 50.4 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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