Sugar Land TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 13.9% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 9.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $77,643 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $42,371 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 16.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 49.5% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $468,328 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 41.6% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 27.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 16.6% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 71.3°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 Tempe. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tempe 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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