Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 59.2% | 35.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 36.0% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 42.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 38.0% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 24.0% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 48.7 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 29.6 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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