Houston TX vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Orem
10.5%
White
Houston
35.5%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 86,973 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.5% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 30.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,579 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 25.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $509,396 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Orem
17.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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