Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- 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
Davenport
101,083
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 75.9% | 35.5% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $62,894 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.7% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.7% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $265,062 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 42.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.9% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 24.0% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 48.7 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 29.6 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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