Houston TX vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Oklahoma City
688,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Houston
35.5%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 688,693 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.0% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 22.9% | 13.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 21.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,109 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 38.3% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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