Salinas 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 109,735 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.5 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 35.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 12.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 71.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 50.4 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 31.6 min | Salinas + |
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 Salinas. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Salinas 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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