Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 109,735 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.5 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 83.6% | 40.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 71.3°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 50.4 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.6 min | Boise + |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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