Austin TX vs Houston TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 59.9% | 35.5% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 6.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $62,894 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $41,142 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 19.7% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 36.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 42.0% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 38.0% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 24.0% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.6% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 48.7 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 29.6 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PAAustin, TX vs San Antonio, TX