Edinburg 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)
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Edinburg
102,561
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Edinburg +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,561 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 34.3 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 39.9% | 35.5% | Edinburg + |
| Black | 1.9% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 85.8% | 44.1% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Edinburg +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,789 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,278 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.7% | Edinburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.7% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Edinburg +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $217,077 | $265,062 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 42.0% | Edinburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Edinburg, 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
Edinburg
42.5%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Edinburg +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.5% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.6% | Edinburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Edinburg +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.1 in | 48.7 in | Edinburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Edinburg, 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
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 29.6 min | Edinburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Edinburg. Edinburg has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, 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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