Houston TX vs Miami 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 446,663 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 35.5% | 34.2% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 13.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $59,390 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 35.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $580,996 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 30.7% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.5% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 27.2% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 64.1 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 29.9 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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