Houston TX vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 543,348 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 13.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 42.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $54,546 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $31,152 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 30.2% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $324,946 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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