Houston TX vs Provo 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Provo
12.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 114,303 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 18.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $62,800 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $26,755 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 22.3% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $486,127 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 39.9% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 21.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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