Houston TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 307,188 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 35.5% | 16.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 37.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $48,416 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $25,509 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 10.9% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 24.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 17.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $482,675 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 24.1% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.2% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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