Houston TX vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 79,526 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 13.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 4.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $514,358 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.5% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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