Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Sugar Land
42.5
Sugar Land +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 109,735 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 42.5 | Sugar Land + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 81.8% | 40.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $60,258 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
12.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 12.2% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Sugar Land +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 71.3°F | Sugar Land + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 50.4 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 31.6 min | Scottsdale + |
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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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