Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 42.5 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 77.5% | 40.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Sugar Land
5.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $60,258 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.5% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 5.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 62.4% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.2% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.5% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 71.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 50.4 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 31.6 min | Carmel + |
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, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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