Sugar Land TX vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 10.0% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 7.7% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 4.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $63,072 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $35,958 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 15.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 30.9% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 58.4% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 17.7% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.3% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Wichita 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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