Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
2,300,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
28.8%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
35.5%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 2,300,419 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 44.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,894 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,142 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $265,062 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 442 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2339 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.9% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.1% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 24.0% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 48.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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