Houston TX vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 115,396 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 35.5% | 21.4% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 17.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.0% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 32.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $608,357 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 37.7 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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