Chesapeake VA 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)
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 109,735 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.5 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 56.2% | 40.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $449,058 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 31.6 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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