Houston TX vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 192,696 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 13.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 22.9% | 3.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.3% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 17.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $510,577 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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