City Comparison

Sugar Land vs Tucson

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

Tucson

Arizona
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$43,425
Median Income

The Verdict

18.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.3%, with Tucson being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sugar Land has equivalent purchasing power to $63,409 in Tucson.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
128
Sugar Land
83
Tucson
Groceries
99
Sugar Land
98
Tucson
Utilities
96
Sugar Land
96
Tucson
Transportation
101
Sugar Land
99
Tucson
Healthcare
96
Sugar Land
93
Tucson

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sugar Land has the same purchasing power as $63,409 in Tucson.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tucson equals $88,710 in Sugar Land.

Living in Sugar Land vs Tucson

Housing Costs

Sugar Land's housing index of 128 is higher Tucson's 83, translating to median home prices of $456,000 vs $265,000. The $191,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Sugar Land compared to $1,100/mo in Tucson, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Sugar Land and 98 in Tucson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Sugar Land vs $466/month in Tucson. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Sugar Land and 96 in Tucson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Sugar Land vs $384 in Tucson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Sugar Land and 93 in Tucson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $128,400 in Sugar Land and $43,425 in Tucson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $116,727 and $46,694 respectively. Sugar Land residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,996/month to housing in Sugar Land vs $1,013/month in Tucson. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Tucson, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tucson is 18.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Sugar Land has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,409 in Tucson, based on the cost of living difference.
Sugar Land's housing index is 128 with median homes at $456,000, while Tucson's is 83 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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