Sugar Land TX vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 33,889 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 20.6% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 7.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 11.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $97,263 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $49,019 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 46.1% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 65.5% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 40.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 16.9% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 21.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.3% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.7 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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