Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 109,735 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.5 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 69.8% | 40.6% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 12.3% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $449,058 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 71.3°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 50.4 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 31.6 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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