Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 109,735 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.5 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 69.9% | 40.6% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 7.7% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $449,058 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 442 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2339 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 71.3°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 50.4 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 31.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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