Houston TX vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 154,751 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 22.9% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $51,339 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $27,054 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.2% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 25.3% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 19.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $298,985 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.6% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.8% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 21.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.5% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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