Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 89.9% | 35.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $62,894 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $41,142 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $63,758 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 19.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 42.0% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 442 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2339 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 38.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.1% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 24.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.6% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 48.7 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 29.6 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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