Salt Lake City UT 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)
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 109,735 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 42.5 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 70.5% | 40.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.2% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | 71.3°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 50.4 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 31.6 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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