Sugar Land TX vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 20.1% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 36.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 7.7% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 4.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $70,663 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $26,955 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 11.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 20.0% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 12.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 58.5% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, 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 +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 32.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 17.9% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.0% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 41.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Visalia 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%.
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