Houston TX vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 741,440 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 19.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 22.9% | 6.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 8.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $871,599 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.0% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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