Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 109,735 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 42.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 59.2% | 40.6% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 7.7% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 12.3% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $449,058 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 71.3°F | Gainesville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 50.4 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.6 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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