Sugar Land TX vs Temecula CA — 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Temecula
110,404
Temecula +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
16.6%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
11.5%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Temecula
28.5%
Temecula +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 110,404 | Temecula + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.3 | Temecula + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 16.6% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 7.7% | 4.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 11.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 28.5% | Temecula + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Temecula
$117,840
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Temecula
$44,826
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
39.2%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $117,840 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $44,826 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 39.2% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
67.7%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $769,756 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 67.7% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Temecula
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Temecula
9.8%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 33.0% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 16.6% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.8% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Temecula +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Temecula + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 38.7 min | Sugar Land + |
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 Temecula. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Temecula 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sugar Land, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Sugar Land, TXChicago, IL vs Sugar Land, TXHouston, TX vs Sugar Land, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Sugar Land, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Sugar Land, TX