Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 109,735 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 56.1% | 40.6% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 7.7% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 12.3% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $449,058 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 71.3°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 50.4 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 31.6 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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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