Sugar Land vs Pearland
Houston suburb housing and commute tradeoff
MapsToIt comparison snapshot
Sugar Land or Pearland — which fits a move?
Sugar Land, TX vs Pearland, TX is a common relocator matchup (houston suburb housing and commute tradeoff). Sugar Land shows the higher median household income ($137,511 vs $112,470). Pearland posts the lower MapsToIt housing cost index (120 vs 139; 100 = U.S. avg), with median homes near $330,900 versus $406,600. Sugar Land has the shorter average commute (23 vs 30 minutes).
Side-by-side metrics
Figures use the same ACS housing index, BLS unemployment, FBI rates, and NOAA normals as each city profile — shown against U.S. / catalog baselines.
| Metric | Sugar Land, TX | Pearland, TX | U.S. / catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,851 | 129,620 | N/A City limits only (not metro / MSA) |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $112,470 | $78,538 U.S. avg · 75% above U.S. avg · relatively higher |
| Median home value | $406,600 | $330,900 | $303,400 U.S. avg · 34% above U.S. avg |
| Median rent | $1,939 | $1,759 | $1,348 U.S. avg · 44% above U.S. avg |
| Housing cost index | 139 | 120 | 100 U.S. avg · 100 = U.S. average (ACS home + rent) |
| Unemployment | 4.8% | 5.1% | 4.2% U.S. rate · county LAUS, not city-only |
| Avg commute | 23 min | 30 min | 25 min Catalog avg · 8% below catalog avg · relatively affordable / lower |
| Violent crime rate | Unavailable | 89.5 / 100k | 559.5 / 100k Catalog avg · FBI data gap for at least one city |
| Property crime rate | Unavailable | 1641 / 100k | 3005.3 / 100k Catalog avg · FBI data gap for at least one city |
| Sunny days | 246 days | 246 days | 268 days Catalog avg · 8% below catalog avg |
| Summer high | 94°F | 93°F | 87°F Catalog avg · NOAA normals · nearest station |
| Winter low | 47°F | 48°F | 35°F Catalog avg · NOAA normals · nearest station |
When should you pick Sugar Land?
Choose Sugar Land when you prioritize its specific mix: housing index 139, median rent $1,939, unemployment 4.8%, and 94°F summer highs — with research often starting in Town Square and First Colony.
When should you pick Pearland?
Choose Pearland when that profile fits better: housing index 120, median rent $1,759, unemployment 5.1%, and 93°F summer highs — newcomers often compare Shadow Creek Ranch and Downtown Pearland.
Short verdict
Short verdict: pick Pearland if housing cost is the binding constraint; pick Sugar Land for higher local incomes. The housing-index gap is 19 points. Open each full city profile for neighborhood lists, sources, and the interactive compare tool.