Santa Ana 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)
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
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
Santa Ana
91,535
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Sugar Land
42.5
Sugar Land +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.5 | Sugar Land + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 66.9% | 40.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 12.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $60,258 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 62.4% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 71.3°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 50.4 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 31.6 min | Santa Ana + |
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 Santa Ana. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Santa Ana 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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