Houston TX vs Temecula CA — 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Temecula
16.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 110,404 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 16.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 28.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $769,756 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Temecula
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.9% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | 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
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Temecula +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Temecula + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 38.7 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Temecula. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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