Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 109,735 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 42.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 74.3% | 40.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 7.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $449,058 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 71.3°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.4 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 31.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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