Houston TX vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 524,802 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 21.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 22.9% | 12.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 29.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $480,548 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.9% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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