Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 109,735 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.5 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 53.8% | 40.6% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 7.7% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.3% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.5% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $449,058 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.2% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 71.3°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 50.4 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.6 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh 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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