Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 109,735 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 42.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 35.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 17.1% | 7.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 31.6 min | Elizabeth + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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