Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 109,735 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 73.0% | 40.6% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.5% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $449,058 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.5% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 71.3°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 50.4 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 31.6 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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