Houston TX vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Houston
35.5%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 75,721 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 35.5% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 6.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $765,686 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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