Houston, TX vs Surprise, 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
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 21). Surprise leads in median household income ($87,756 vs $57,791). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 115).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 21 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 3.0 |
| School Rating | 5.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 115 |
| 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 →
C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →