Sugar Land TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 9.1% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 7.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 7.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $90,685 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $47,372 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 8.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 40.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 64.9% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 36.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 16.7% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.1% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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