Lakewood CO 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)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 109,735 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 42.5 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 76.0% | 40.6% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 12.3% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.5% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 24.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.2% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 71.3°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 50.4 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 31.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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