Houston TX vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 194,338 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 22.9% | 3.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 35.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $488,428 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.2 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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