Houston TX vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Livonia
8.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Livonia
3.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 94,058 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 45.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 4.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $314,705 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | 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
Houston +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Livonia
25.8 min
Livonia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.8 min | Livonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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