AreaScoop
Houston, TX

Photo: Wikipedia

Houston, TX

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Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 70
Population2,300,419
Foreign Born19.1%
Population Density3,590people per mi²
Median Age34.3 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2000, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

104/100

4% above national average

A-

The Real Cost of Living in Houston, Texas

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $53k$99k
Comfortable $100k$147k
Luxury $114k+$176k+
Elite (Top 5%) $188k+$291k+
Affordability Ratio

43%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

B
Hood Index scan area
Premium Lean62%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
0
Poor
23
Negative
40

Groceries

5 within 10 miles

2.1mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

4.1mi

Airport

IAH — Bush Iah Terminal C

15.7mi

Post Office

USPS — Houston, TX

1.1mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

Nearest private club or country club.

No country clubs found nearby.

Golf4Nearest 3.2 mi
Camping20Nearest 4.4 mi
Marina0Nearest 11.1 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink2Nearest 0.8 mi
Gun Range5Nearest 7.1 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C-
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$63k+4.1%
16% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$523k
20% below US avg
College Educated
36.0%
3% above US avg
WFH
11.7%
18% below US avg
Homeownership
42.0%
36% below US avg
Median Home
$253k
10% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
F
High Risk

Significantly higher crime rates than 86% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
47.0
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−18.1%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−28.2%
Homicide
0.11 / 1k Residents151% above state avg
Robbery
2.01 / 1k Residents288% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
6.17 / 1k Residents158% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr−8.1%
Burglary
4.85 / 1k Residents98% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
28.02 / 1k Residents119% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
5.20 / 1k Residents110% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+21Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Houston, Texas
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B+
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B
Fair8.6% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A+
GreatNo notice required

Energy independence: Net exporter (220% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
D+
RestrictedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season297 days358 frost-free
Annual Rainfall80.7"
Elevation56 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
F
High Risk

High tactical risk. This location is likely close to major population centers, strategic targets, or sits in a high-disaster corridor. A retreat property and careful exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor0.0 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor3,590/sq mi
Fallout Danger
F
Poor20 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
D
Poorborder 290 mi · coast 20 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$2.2B/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityHouston2.3M people are 0.0 mi away
Nearest Major AirportIAH16 mi away
Distance to State Capital146 miAustin, TX
Nearest Prison0.6 mi7 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-13T20:13:33.000Z

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