Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Miami +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Miami
34.2%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 109,735 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 42.5 | Miami + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 35.3% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 13.7% | 7.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 12.3% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Sugar Land +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 71.3°F | Sugar Land + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 31.6 min | Miami + |
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, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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