Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 109,735 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.5 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 81.0% | 40.6% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $449,058 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.2% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 71.3°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 50.4 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 31.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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