Houston TX vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
San Francisco
836,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Houston
35.5%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 836,321 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 35.5% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 15.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $1,369,171 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 38.5% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.6% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.9 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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