Houston TX vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Houston
35.5%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 35.5% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 22.9% | 22.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 28.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $816,078 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 32.8% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 44.2 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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