Houston, TX vs Oakland, CA
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
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 155). Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 48). Oakland leads in median household income ($85,459 vs $57,791).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 73 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | High |
| School Rating | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | D+53.6 |
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-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →