Houston, TX vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 41). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $57,791). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 106).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →