Houston TX vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Reno
16.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 268,959 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 16.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 22.9% | 3.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 24.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 35.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $570,934 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.9% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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