Is Sugar Land Expensive?

Houston, United States

-15% vs Houston avg

Living in Sugar Land, Houston

Sugar Land is a relatively affordable area in Houston, with a cost of living index of 51.2 — that is -15% compared to the Houston average. At #16 of 24, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,360/month, compared to a range of $1,152 in Pasadena (TX) to $2,160 in River Oaks.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Sugar Land, housing takes up roughly 38% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $54,400 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Sugar Land

Salaries in Sugar Land reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 51.2:

After tax and deductions of 19.0% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $54,400 would be roughly $44,064/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

51.2
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
$1,360
Est. 1BR Rent
#16
of 24 Areas
19.0%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Sugar Land

Estimated annual deductions on a $38,400 salary in Sugar Land, Houston (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total Deductions: 19.0%
Est. Take-Home: $31,086/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Sugar Land would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $38,400
London GBP £33,046
Dubai AED AED 192,145

Other Neighborhoods in Houston

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
River Oaks 81.3 1.35x +35%
Tanglewood 75.2 1.25x +25%
West University Place 73.4 1.22x +22%
Downtown 71.0 1.18x +18%
Memorial 71.0 1.18x +18%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Houston →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Sugar Land:

Spring Valley, Las Vegas Paradise, Las Vegas Sörnäinen, Helsinki Aurora, Denver McKinney, Dallas Carrollton, Dallas

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sugar Land expensive in Houston?

Sugar Land is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Houston. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #16 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Sugar Land compare to the Houston average?

The cost of living in Sugar Land is below the Houston average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.