Houston TX vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 220,482 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 22.9% | 10.5% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 13.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 33.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $496,966 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.7% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.1 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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