Long Beach CA 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 109,735 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 42.5 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 41.6% | 40.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 7.7% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 12.3% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 71.3°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 50.4 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
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 503 in Long Beach. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
Compare More Cities
Long Beach, CA vs New York, NYLong Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Long Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZLong Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA