Houston, TX vs Melrose, MA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Melrose
67.3
#1438 nationally
Melrose leads in median household income ($126,305 vs $57,791). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 167). Houston leads in average commute (28.5 min vs 37.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Melrose, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 67.3 (#1438) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 29,357 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $930,823 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $126,305 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 37.1 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 62 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 2.8 |
| School Rating | 5.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 167 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | D+39.5 |
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →
D+
67.3 Score
Melrose, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$930,823
Population
29,357
Crime
Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Melrose, MA →