Riverside CA 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)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Riverside
39.2%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 109,735 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 42.5 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 39.2% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 6.0% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 12.3% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 71.3°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 50.4 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
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, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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