New Orleans LA 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)
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 109,735 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.5 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 31.6% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 55.2% | 7.7% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $449,058 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 31.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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