Houston TX vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Westland
9.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 84,155 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 22.9% | 22.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 5.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $62,216 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,816 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 21.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | 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
Houston +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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