Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 109,735 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 42.5 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 59.1% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $449,058 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.5% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 71.3°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 31.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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