Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 109,735 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 61.0% | 40.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 7.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $449,058 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 71.3°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 50.4 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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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