Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 109,735 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.7% | 40.6% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 7.7% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 12.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $63,758 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $449,058 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 442 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2339 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.2% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 31.6 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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