Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 109,735 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.5 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 72.9% | 40.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 71.3°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 31.6 min | Charleston + |
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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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