Houston TX vs Inglewood CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Inglewood, CA
California · Population: 90,669
- Median HH Income$78,709
- Median Home Price$761,870
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+21.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Inglewood
90,669
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Inglewood
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Inglewood
38.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Inglewood
25.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Inglewood
36.5%
Inglewood +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Inglewood
3.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Inglewood
2.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Inglewood
68.9%
Inglewood +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Inglewood
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 90,669 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 25.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.5% | Inglewood + |
| Black | 22.9% | 3.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 68.9% | Inglewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Inglewood
$78,709
Inglewood +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Inglewood
$35,231
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Inglewood
$77,230
Inglewood +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Inglewood
4.6%
Inglewood +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Inglewood
11.6%
Inglewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Inglewood
21.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $78,709 | Inglewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,231 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Inglewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Inglewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.6% | Inglewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 21.1% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Inglewood
$761,870
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Inglewood
68.3%
Inglewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $761,870 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 68.3% | Inglewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Inglewood
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Inglewood
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Inglewood
32.6%
Inglewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Inglewood
14.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Inglewood
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Inglewood
14.4%
Inglewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Inglewood
14.2%
Inglewood +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Inglewood
12.7%
Inglewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.6% | Inglewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.5% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.2% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.4% | Inglewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.2% | Inglewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Inglewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Inglewood
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Inglewood
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Inglewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Inglewood
75.0%
Inglewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Inglewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Inglewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Inglewood
24.0 min
Inglewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.0 min | Inglewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Inglewood leads in median household income at $78,709, 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 503 in Inglewood. Inglewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Inglewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Inglewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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