Sugar Land TX vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 13.7% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 7.7% | 5.0% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 3.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $54,546 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $31,152 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 18.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 30.2% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 51.7% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 33.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 18.3% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.5% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tucson 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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