Sugar Land TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sugar Land
109,735
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sugar Land
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Sugar Land
42.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Sugar Land
40.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Sugar Land
7.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Sugar Land
12.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Sugar Land
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 35.3% | 23.2% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 40.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 7.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 39.5% | 6.9% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sugar Land
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,511 | $67,544 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,258 | $35,825 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 19.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.4% | 34.1% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sugar Land
$449,058
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $449,058 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.1% | 42.4% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
12.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.2% | 19.9% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.5% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.4 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sugar Land
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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