Sugar Land TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 5.7% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 7.7% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 1.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $63,900 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $46,062 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 16.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 45.8% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 46.8% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 42.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 17.4% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.4% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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