Houston TX vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 229,228 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $38,200 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 32.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $400,636 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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