Frisco 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)
Frisco, TX
Texas · Population: 53,348
- Median HH Income$57,216
- Median Home Price$663,246
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
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
Frisco
53,348
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Frisco
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Frisco
40.0
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Frisco
12.8%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Frisco
61.4%
Frisco +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Frisco
14.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Frisco
2.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Frisco
29.7%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Frisco
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,348 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.8% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 61.4% | 35.5% | Frisco + |
| Black | 14.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 29.7% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Frisco
$57,216
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Frisco
$39,883
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Frisco
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Frisco
6.7%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Frisco
19.9%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Frisco
33.7%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,216 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,883 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Frisco
$663,246
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Frisco
46.7%
Frisco +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $663,246 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 42.0% | Frisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Frisco
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Frisco
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Frisco, 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
Frisco
30.0%
Frisco +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Frisco
8.5%
Frisco +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Frisco
13.9%
Frisco +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Frisco
8.0%
Frisco +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Frisco
17.5%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Frisco
8.0%
Frisco +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 38.0% | Frisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.9% | Frisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 17.1% | Frisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 24.0% | Frisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.6% | Frisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Frisco
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Frisco
41.2 in
Frisco +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.2 in | 48.7 in | Frisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Frisco
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Frisco
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Frisco, 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
Frisco
22.8 min
Frisco +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 29.6 min | Frisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Frisco. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Frisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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