Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
138,019
Columbia +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 109,735 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 42.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 49.9% | 40.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 7.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $449,058 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°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, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°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
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Columbia 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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