Houston TX vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Phoenix
1,624,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Houston
35.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 1,624,832 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 19.0% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 22.9% | 7.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 41.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $40,309 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 32.3% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $411,323 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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