Houston TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Houston
35.5%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 393,389 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 19.0% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 22.9% | 21.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 26.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $376,530 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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