Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Flint
34.4%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.5 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 34.4% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 56.6% | 7.7% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $449,058 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Flint, 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 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.6% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 71.3°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 50.4 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 31.6 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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