Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Sugar Land
42.5
Sugar Land +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 109,735 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 42.5 | Sugar Land + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 70.3% | 40.6% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 7.7% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 12.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $449,058 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Sugar Land +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 71.3°F | Sugar Land + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 31.6 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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