Fayetteville NC 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 109,735 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 42.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 38.3% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $449,058 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 71.3°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville 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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