Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 109,735 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 39.1% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 28.4% | 7.7% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 12.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $449,058 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 71.3°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.4 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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