Dearborn MI 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)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Dearborn
107,846
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 42.5 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 88.0% | 40.6% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $449,058 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 71.3°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 50.4 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 31.6 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. 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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