Houston, TX
Houston, TX scores 69/100 (Good) on Your Area Score. It is a major U.S. city with a more affordable than many comparable markets cost profile, a more challenging safety profile, and a manageable climate. Whether it is a good place to live will depend heavily on your budget, neighborhood choice, and priorities.
Based on affordability, safety, climate, infrastructure, schools, grocery access, and risk.
Pros
- Grocery Access
- Infrastructure
Cons
- Safety
- Risk
At a Glance
Why Houston, TX scored 69/100
Top strengths
- Grocery Access is one of the strongest categories for this city.
- Infrastructure also helps lift the overall score.
- Houston, TX may appeal most to budget-conscious movers, people who want convenience.
Main trade-offs
- Safety is one of the weaker categories here.
- Risk may be a deciding factor depending on your priorities.
- Neighborhood choice still matters because citywide averages never tell the full story.
Category Scores
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $1,235, median home value is about $235,000, and the larger metro scale usually supports a deeper job base and more amenities. See cheaper cities in TX.
This city has a more challenging safety profile. Violent crime is significantly elevated at 1,148.2 per 100k residents, and property crime is elevated at 4,293.5 per 100k. Careful neighborhood research is strongly recommended before relocating. Source: FBI UCR 2024. Compare safer cities in TX.
The climate in Houston, TX is generally hot with mild winters. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Larger cities usually score better here because they support more services, access, and everyday convenience.
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Grocery access is a major strength, with a broad mix of chains, specialty stores, and convenient everyday options across much of the city.
Living in Houston, TX
This section turns the score into day-to-day reality: housing, comfort, family fit, convenience, and the main trade-offs you would notice after moving.
Cost, housing, and daily setup
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $1,235, median home value is about $235,000, and the larger metro scale usually supports a deeper job base and more amenities.
- Median rent: $1,235
- Median home value: $235,000
- Best fit: budget-conscious movers, people who want convenience
Bottom line
Houston, TX is currently rated Good with a MoveScore of 69/100. Its strongest areas are Grocery Access and Infrastructure, while the biggest trade-offs are Safety and Risk.
Climate and comfort
The climate in Houston, TX is generally hot with mild winters. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Risk and drawbacks
The main environmental risks here include heat, hail, storms, and localized flood risk. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.
Schools and family fit
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Errands and convenience
Grocery access is a major strength, with a broad mix of chains, specialty stores, and convenient everyday options across much of the city.
Entertainment & Things To Do
Houston, TX offers strong big-event access, with multiple nearby venues that can support sports, concerts, and major weekend activity.
Best Fit For
- Budget-conscious movers who still want solid city access.
- People who want strong convenience, errands, and day-to-day access.
- People who value dining, shopping, events, and a more active city feel.
- People who enjoy warmer weather and want broader city amenities.
Less Ideal For
- People who are highly sensitive to neighborhood-level safety variation.
- People seeking a quieter, lower-density feel with less traffic and big-city activity.
- People who want fewer weather, insurance, or location-specific risk trade-offs.
Neighborhood Reality
Houston, TX is not uniform. Some areas perform significantly better than others across safety, schools, and overall livability. Where you choose to live within the city will have a major impact on your experience.
What stands out
- Minute Maid Park — about 2.8 miles away
- Toyota Center — about 2.9 miles away
- Shell Energy Stadium — about 3.2 miles away
- NRG Stadium — about 7.1 miles away
Relocation takeaway
People who care about weekend options usually want to know whether a city feels quiet, convenient, or event-driven. Houston, TX currently leans more toward regional convenience and big-event access.
Crime & Safety Reality
This is a practical interpretation of the city-level safety score. It should be treated as a broad relocation signal, not a substitute for neighborhood-level research.
What the current score suggests
Houston, TX has a more challenging city-level safety profile, so block-by-block research matters more than usual before renting or buying. The main environmental risks here include heat, hail, storms, and localized flood risk. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.
What movers should do next
- Compare neighborhoods, not just city averages.
- Check commute routes after dark, not only daytime convenience.
- Look for trade-offs between affordability, access, and perceived safety.
Traffic & Commute Reality
Traffic quality is not just about how many roads exist. It is about whether the city gives you enough route options to handle daily commuting, errands, and regional travel.
How travel may feel here
Houston, TX has strong regional access and is built around moving people efficiently across a larger metro area. Multiple major access routes nearby usually make cross-town trips, airport runs, and regional travel easier, even if congestion is still part of daily life.
Why this matters
Cities with stronger access routes usually feel easier for airport runs, cross-town errands, and commuting to job centers. That does not eliminate congestion, but it does improve flexibility when one corridor slows down.
Primary Access & Connectivity
These are some of the main road connections near Houston, TX. They help show how easy it is to move around locally, reach job centers, and make longer regional trips.
Interstate 10
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
Interstate 45
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
US 59 / I-69
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
Interstate 610
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
Beltway 8
Usually one of the faster access routes in the area, though some trips may involve toll costs.
Nearby Stadiums & Event Venues
Nearby venues can make a city more appealing for sports fans, concerts, and large events, but they can also increase traffic and activity on event days.
Minute Maid Park
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
Toyota Center
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
Shell Energy Stadium
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
NRG Stadium
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.