Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 109,735 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 42.5 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 35.3% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 12.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 71.3°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 50.4 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 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 Los Angeles. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Los Angeles 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%.
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