Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 109,735 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 57.8% | 40.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 7.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $449,058 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 71.3°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 50.4 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 31.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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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