Meridian ID 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)
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
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
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 109,735 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 42.5 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 84.3% | 40.6% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.5% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.2% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 31.6 min | Meridian + |
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, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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