Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 109,735 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 42.5 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 50.8% | 40.6% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 12.3% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $449,058 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 71.3°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 50.4 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 31.6 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Modesto 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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