Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 109,735 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.5 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 62.9% | 40.6% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 7.7% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 12.3% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $60,258 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 24.8% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.2% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 50.4 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 31.6 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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