Corona CA 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Corona
41.6%
Corona +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Corona
5.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 41.6% | 35.5% | Corona + |
| Black | 5.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 6.9% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 44.1% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $62,894 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.7% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 19.7% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 42.0% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
35.1%
Corona +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 38.0% | Corona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.9% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 24.0% | Corona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.6% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Corona +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Corona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 503 in Corona. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Corona, CA vs New York, NYCorona, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Corona, CACorona, CA vs Phoenix, AZCorona, CA vs Philadelphia, PACorona, CA vs San Antonio, TX