Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 109,735 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 42.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 43.2% | 40.6% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 7.7% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $449,058 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 71.3°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 50.4 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 31.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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