Houston TX vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 115,546 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 23.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $528,447 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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