Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 109,735 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.5 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 58.4% | 40.6% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 7.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $449,058 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 71.3°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 31.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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