Houston TX vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Jacksonville
961,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 961,739 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.4 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 22.9% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,269 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.9% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $286,396 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.8% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 70.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 50.0 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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