Cost of Living in Sugar Land, TX

Population 109,735 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

139
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Sugar Land cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $407,000, rents near $1,939 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 133
Rent 148

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Sugar Land

The median home value in Sugar Land is $406,600 — 33% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,939/month, 48% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $137,511/year is 84% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 80.7°F and lows of 61.4°F. Overall, Sugar Land has a cost of living index of 139 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$406,600
33% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$440,419
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,939/mo
48% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,990/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 80.1%
Renter-occupied 19.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,939
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,553/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.7 min
17% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.4%
Carpooled
8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
0.4%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
20.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$137,511
84% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,258
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
6% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Labor Force Participation
64.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.1%
Graduate degree 27.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.5
Male median age 42.1
Female median age 42.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
80.7°F
Avg Low
61.4°F
Annual Precip
49.7"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 646874808792959490837467
Low °F 455055606974767672625346
Precip" 3.632.833.494.265.244.224.165.274.424.653.783.76

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 64 — Moderate
12.1%
Good air days/yr
205
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sugar Land, TX?

Sugar Land has a cost index of 139 (100 = national average). It is 39% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sugar Land, TX?

The median gross rent in Sugar Land is $1,939 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sugar Land?

The median home value in Sugar Land is $406,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sugar Land?

The median household income in Sugar Land is $137,511 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sugar Land, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sugar Land is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Sugar Land, TX affordable?

Sugar Land is above average in cost of living, with an index of 139 — about 39% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Sugar Land?

Sugar Land has average high temperatures of 80.7°F and average lows of 61.4°F. Annual precipitation is 49.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sugar Land at a Glance

Population
109,735
Median Income
$137,511
Home Value
$406,600
Median Rent
$1,939/mo
Unemployment
4.5%
Avg High Temp
80.7°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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