Houston TX vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Houston
35.5%
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 308,160 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 35.5% | 38.7% | Irvine + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 11.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $1,566,872 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX