Houston vs Seattle: Which city is better?
Houston and Seattle are two popular cities that offer unique living experiences to its residents. But you might be wondering, which city is better?
For those who want an affordable lifestyle in a major economic hub, Houston is a good option. For those who value being close to nature and are willing to pay for it, then Seattle may be the better choice.
We came to this conclusion after comparing the two cities across various categories. We’ll discuss each city in detail to help you decide which best aligns with your preferences.
Cost of Living
Based on the data of Forbes, if a person from Houston earning $70,000 a year were to move to Seattle, they will need to earn around $107,669 to maintain their standard of living.
This means that the cost of living in Seattle will be 35% higher.
Check out the data below from Forbes Advisor to see a more detailed comparison of the cost of living between Houston and Seattle:
| Expenses | Houston | Seattle | Difference |
| Whole Milk | $4.70 | $5.05 | + 6.93% |
| Bread | $4.04 | $4.63 | + 12.74% |
| Coffee | $5.61 | $6.96 | +19.40% |
| Shampoo | $1.34 | $1.41 | + 4.96% |
| Doctor Visit | $95.64 | $230.75 | + 58.55% |
| Dentist Visit | $122.22 | $149.91 | + 18.47% |
| Gasoline | $2.92 | $4.54 | +35.68% |
| Apartment Rent | $1,349 | $3,280 | +58.87% |
| Energy | $185.93 | $196.80 | +5.52% |
| Phone | $211.43 | $293.53 | – 3.88% |
Based on the cost-of-living data, Seattle is clearly much more expensive than Houston for almost everything you need to live. The higher cost of basic living expenses will make living in Seattle very tough for those who have a limited budget.
Real Estate Prices
The average price of a home in Houston in 2024 is around $235,000. In Seattle, it’s a lot higher at $879,900. Houston offers more affordable homes for buyers.
Why the huge gap?
Seattle’s growing tech industry attracts a lot of people, which drives up the demand for homes. Prices go up as the supply isn’t meeting the demand. Seattle’s high cost of living and its overall appeal as a city also push home prices higher.
In contrast, Houston has a lower cost of living with more available land, which keeps home prices down.
For those looking to buy a home, Houston’s housing market may offer more budget-friendly options and better value for money.
Diversity and Demographics
Let’s look at how Houston and Seattle compare in terms of their diversity and demographics.
Houston is much bigger than Seattle in terms of land area and is the fourth largest city in the United States.
| Houston | Seattle | |
| Geographic Location | Texas | Washington |
| Size (Area) | 1,659 square kilometers | 217 square kilometers |
| Population | 2,319,119 | 735,000 |
| Female Population | 50.2% | 49.3% |
| Male Population | 49.8% | 50.7% |
| Median Age | 34 years old | 36 years old |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 78.4 years old | 72.4 years old |
Houston is also the largest city in Texas, with a population of 2,319,119 people as of 2024 and has over 60% of its residents coming from various minority groups. Seattle, on the other hand, has a smaller population of 759,915. Here, more than 60% of the people are White.
Seattle’s population density score is 3,501.9 people per square kilometer, which is much higher than Houston’s score of 1,397.9 people per square kilometer. This means that there are more people per square kilometer in Seattle than in Houston.
And while Seattle is less diverse overall compared to Houston, it still has thriving Asian, Black, and Multiracial communities.
Check out the data we gathered from World Population Review for a more detailed comparison of the racial composition in each city:
| Racial Composition | Houston | Seattle |
| White | 40.82% | 63.62% |
| Asian | 6.88% | 16.84% |
| Multiracial | 14.85% | 9.40% |
| Black/African American | 22.41% | 6.74% |
| Other Race | 14.26% | 2.62% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.72% | 0.56% |
| Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander | 0.05% | 0.22% |
Seattle and Houston both have a balanced gender distribution, with women slightly outnumbering men in Houston and men outnumbering the women in Seattle. The median age in Seattle is 36 years, while in Houston, it’s 34 years.
Career Opportunities
Both Houston and Seattle have promising job markets and employment opportunities.
In 2022, employment in Seattle grew by 1.37% from the previous year to 453,000 from 437,000. The most common jobs in the city are in Management, Computer, Mathematics, and Business & Finance Operations.
For Seattle men, the median income is $87,217 and the median income for women is $64,013.
Employment in Houston grew by 1.04% in the same year.
Houston employs 1.13 million people in its city and the largest industries are in Construction, Health Care, and Retail.
The most common job groups in the city are in Sales, Management, and Office & Administrative reports. The highest paying jobs, meanwhile, are in Mining, Quarrying, and Oil & Gas Extraction.
In Houston, men tend to earn 1.38 times higher than women, whose median income is $58,213.
For those who want to stretch their income, Houston is the better option due to the low cost of living. However, for those who want to pursue a career specifically in tech, Seattle may offer more employment opportunities.
Crime and Safety
Houston and Seattle have different crime profiles. Let’s see how they compare.
The latest report by the Houston Police Department in June 2024 indicates a half-year total of 33,361 incidents of crimes against persons (i.e. violent crimes such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, rape) and 69,335 incidents of crimes against property (e.g. robbery, arson, theft) in the city.
The Economic Research Institute reports that the latest violent crime rate of Houston is 1.14%, while the property crime rate is 4.58%. The city’s total crime rate is 5.72%.
For Seattle, the latest available crime report indicates a total of 5,591 violent crimes, and 43,986 property crimes for the entire year of 2022.
Based on the data by the Economic Research Institute, the violent crime rate in Seattle is 0.84% and the property crime rate is 5.72%. Total crime rate for the city is 6.56%.
Each city has its share of crimes, with Houston having a higher violent crime rate and Seattle having a higher property crime rate. However, Houston, in totality, has a lower crime rate than Seattle.
Lifestyle
Houston and Seattle each offer unique lifestyles and experiences. Let’s compare each city in terms of weather, things to do, and healthcare.
Weather
Houston has hot summers and mild winters. Meanwhile, Seattle has cool, rainy winters and mild summers.
In Houston, summers can be quite hot with temperatures reaching between 90°F and 95°F (32°C to 35°C). Winters are generally mild, with temperatures ranging between 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C).
Houston residents can enjoy outdoor activities year-round but might need to stay hydrated and be prepared for humidity during the summer.
In Seattle, winters can be cool and quite rainy, with temperatures typically ranging from 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). Summers are mild, with temperatures generally between 60°F and 75°F (15°C to 24°C).
The cool, wet winters and mild summers in Seattle make it ideal for those who prefer less heat, though the frequent rain can affect outdoor plans and daily routines.
Things To Do
Both Houston and Seattle have a lot to offer when it comes to recreational activities.
Houston is famous for its food scene, with Tex-Mex, barbecue, and many other diverse dining options. The city also features popular attractions like the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Space Center Houston. For outdoor lovers, Hermann Park is a great spot for picnics and jogging.
Meanwhile, Seattle stands out for its beautiful natural surroundings and hip city life. You can visit the iconic Space Needle, explore the Pike Place Market, and enjoy outdoor activities around Puget Sound and the nearby mountains.
Seattle is also known for its music scene and annual events like the Bumbershoot Festival. The city is also famous for its coffee culture–Starbucks first opened here, after all–so many locals are coffee enthusiasts.
Healthcare
Houston and Seattle both offer quality healthcare, as perceived by its residents, based on the data by Numbeo. Houston has a healthcare system index score of 69.31, while Seattle has a score of 71.15.
However, Houston has slightly lower healthcare costs and better affordability for medical services compared to Seattle, and Seattle tends to score higher on overall healthcare quality and accessibility.
Here’s a more detailed look at the criteria for health score index:
| Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | |||
| Skill and competency of medical staff | High | 78.73 | High | 78.70 |
| Speed in completing examinations and reports | High | 74.58 | High | 77.46 |
| Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment | Very High | 89.49 | Very High | 91.06 |
| Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports | High | 76.55 | High | 79.89 |
| Friendliness and courtesy of the staff | High | 69.44 | Very High | 82.17 |
| Responsiveness (waitings) in medical institutions | High | 60.61 | High | 64.64 |
| Satisfaction with Cost to you | Moderate | 46.33 | Moderate | 44.15 |
| Convenience of location for you | Very High | 81.70 | Very High | 81.03 |
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, one of the largest medical centers in the world. It’s also home to the world’s largest children’s hospital (Texas Children’s Hospital) and the world’s largest cancer hospital (MD Anderson Cancer Center).
Seattle is also home to leading hospitals in the country, such as Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington Medical Center. The former is the only Level 1 trauma center in the Pacific Northwest.
When it comes to prescription medication, Houston is known to be one of the least expensive cities–prices are 27% below the national average. Seattle–while it’s also more affordable than most U.S. cities–is only 7.2% below the national average of prescription drug prices.
How They Stack Up
When looking at Houston and Seattle, each city has its own pros and cons.
Overall, both cities have their strengths and drawbacks that might influence your choice. The best city for you will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle needs.
To sum up our discussion, here are our recommendations based on the categories we’ve covered.
| The Better City | Reason | |
| Cost of Living | Houston | Houston is much cheaper to live in than Seattle, with lower everyday expenses, making it better for those with a tight budget. |
| Real Estate | Houston | Homes in Houston are far more affordable than in Seattle, offering better value and making Houston a better choice for buying a house. |
| Diversity and Demographics | Houston | Houston is more diverse, with over 60% of its population from various minority groups. |
| Career Opportunities | Tied | Both cities currently have unemployment rates higher than the national average, but have added thousands of jobs in the past year. Both cities offer exciting career prospects in different industries. |
| Crime Index | Houston | Houston has a lower total crime rate. |
| Lifestyle | Tied | Houston’s climate tends to be warm and Seattle tends to be cold. Seattle is close to nature and famous for its coffee and music scene, while Houston is perfect for those who love food, art, and the outdoors. Both cities offer excellent healthcare, although Seattle slightly edges out Houston in the healthcare system index score. |
