Sugar Land TX vs Tacoma WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 7.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 8.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $83,857 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $44,756 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 12.0% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 33.5% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $496,966 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 56.5% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 37.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 18.7% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.9% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
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, Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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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