Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Renton
2.2%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.5 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 35.3% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 40.6% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Sugar Land
$137,511
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $137,511 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $60,258 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.5% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 62.4% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 24.8% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.2% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 71.3°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 50.4 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 31.6 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Renton, WALos Angeles, CA vs Renton, WAChicago, IL vs Renton, WAHouston, TX vs Renton, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Renton, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Renton, WA