Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Cary +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 109,735 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 42.5 | Cary + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 60.1% | 40.6% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $60,258 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.5% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 62.4% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.2% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.5% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 71.3°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.4 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 31.6 min | Cary + |
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, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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