Houston TX vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 229,021 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 21.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 36.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $802,780 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 37.4 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX