Houston TX vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Houston
22.9%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 132,893 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 17.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 22.9% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 31.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $53,771 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $34,482 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 25.0% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $330,564 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 28.4% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.9% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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