Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
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 Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
39.5%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 109,735 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 42.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 35.3% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 2.1% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 39.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.3% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
$137,511
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $137,511 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $60,258 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 62.4% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 71.3°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 50.4 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 31.6 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa 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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