Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Newark
16.5%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 109,735 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.5 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 16.5% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 46.7% | 7.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 12.3% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 71.3°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.4 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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