Houston TX vs Olathe KS — 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%
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Olathe
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Olathe
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Olathe
36.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Olathe
10.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Olathe
78.6%
Olathe +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Olathe
4.9%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Olathe
4.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Olathe
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Olathe
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 143,720 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 78.6% | Olathe + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Olathe
$112,232
Olathe +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Olathe
$48,655
Olathe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Olathe
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Olathe
49.4%
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $112,232 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $48,655 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.8% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 5.6% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 49.4% | Olathe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Olathe
$437,785
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $437,785 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 73.7% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Olathe
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Olathe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Olathe
32.8%
Olathe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Olathe
9.5%
Olathe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Olathe
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Olathe
11.3%
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.8% | Olathe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.5% | Olathe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.4% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.1% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.3% | Olathe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Olathe
55.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Olathe
40.0 in
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 40.0 in | Olathe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Olathe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Olathe
75.0%
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Olathe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Olathe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Olathe
22.4 min
Olathe +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Olathe, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.4 min | Olathe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe leads in median household income at $112,232, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Olathe. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Olathe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Olathe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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