Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Houston
2,300,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Houston
28.8%
White
Casper
N/A
Houston
35.5%
Black
Casper
N/A
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 2,300,419 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 44.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,894 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,142 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $63,758 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 442 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2339 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Casper +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Casper +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Casper +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 38.0% | Casper + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.9% | Casper + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.1% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 24.0% | Casper + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 48.7 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Casper +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Casper + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Casper scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.6%.
Compare More Cities
Casper, WY vs New York, NYCasper, WY vs Los Angeles, CACasper, WY vs Chicago, ILCasper, WY vs Phoenix, AZCasper, WY vs Philadelphia, PACasper, WY vs San Antonio, TX