Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 109,735 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 42.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 70.1% | 40.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.5% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 71.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 31.6 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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