Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Houston
35.5%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 109,735 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 35.5% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 22.9% | 7.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Sugar Land
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $449,058 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Sugar Land
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Sugar Land
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 50.4 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX