Sugar Land TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Washington
13.3%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 13.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 39.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 7.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 4.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $106,287 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 14.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $580,173 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 41.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 14.6% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 24.0% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 32.8 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, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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