Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 109,735 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 36.5% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 38.6% | 7.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 12.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $449,058 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 71.3°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 50.4 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.6 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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