Houston, TX vs Tempe, 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
Tempe
68.3
#1328 nationally
Tempe leads in average commute (21.5 min vs 28.5 min). Tempe leads in median household income ($72,022 vs $57,791). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 119).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 68.3 (#1328) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 189,834 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $465,636 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $72,022 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 21.5 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 12.9 |
| School Rating | 5.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 119 |
| 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+
68.3 Score
Tempe, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$465,636
Population
189,834
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Southwest
View Tempe, AZ →