Sugar Land TX vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 102,558 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 7.2% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 7.7% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 2.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $58,568 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $31,987 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 17.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 25.0% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 57.0% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Wichita Falls
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Wichita Falls
2339
Tie
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 35.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 18.8% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 16.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.9% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls 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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