Houston TX vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Louisville
627,210
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 627,210 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 22.9% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 8.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $38,890 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 33.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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