Houston TX vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 209,720 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 22.9% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $46,628 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $30,451 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.9% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 26.6% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.9% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 37.2% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Rochester
38.0%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 38.0% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.3% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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