Houston TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Washington
13.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 672,079 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 13.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 22.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 11.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $580,173 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.1% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 32.8 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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