Fort Worth TX 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 109,735 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 42.5 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 47.7% | 40.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 7.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 12.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Sugar Land
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $449,058 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Sugar Land
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Sugar Land
2339
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 71.3°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.4 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 31.6 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Worth, TX vs New York, NYFort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TXFort Worth, TX vs Houston, TXFort Worth, TX vs Phoenix, AZFort Worth, TX vs Philadelphia, PA