Is Houston or Austin better?
It really is an incredibly tough call whether to live in Houston or Austin. Both have their charms, their own culture, and opportunities that make them equally attractive places to call home. But both have some key differences that might swing your decision one way or the other. The following detailed comparison will take into account the main aspects of choosing between Houston and Austin: cost of living, job market, lifestyle, culture, and many more.
Cost of Living: Houston Has the Bang for the Buck
But here's one of the big reasons you could be weighing Houston versus Austin: cost of living. And in this matter, Houston takes the win. According to Numbeo, the overall cost of living in Austin is over 17-35% more expensive compared to Houston, depending on style and spending behavior.
Difference in the housing cost forms a major part of this difference. Average rent for an apartment per month comes out to be $1,826 in Austin, as compared to an average rent of $1,304 in Houston. That would be a large amount of savings per month or, in other words, every year. It's clear to see the difference if one buys a home; the median price is $540,000, while it's a cheaper $320,000 in Houston.
Of course, housing is just the tip of the iceberg. A family of four would need to earn at least $77,000 a year to afford living here. The basic living expenses include food, transportation, healthcare, and taxes, whereas in Houston, it's $74,000.
So, what does this mean to you? For an individual on a budget or if you need to cut down on expenses, then Houston it is. So, with the reduced cost of living, you'd be able to channel more disposable income toward other financial goals, like retirement savings or debt payoff, or perhaps even to a cleaning service in Austin, to help keep your house in order.
Tech vs. Energy Job Market
One also has to consider the job market in each of these cities. Houston and Austin do both have healthy economies, with many opportunities for employment. However, their economic drivers present a difference.
Economy in Houston is solely an energy-dealing one, especially for oil and gas. Major employers in the area include ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips. Other industries that mark the city of Houston include those of healthcare and aerospace since some of the companies situated in Houston include Memorial Hermann Health System and NASA's Johnson Space Center.
Austin has sometimes been referred to as the "Silicon Hills" due to many technology firms based in the city. Among the firms that host bases in the city are Apple, Dell, IBM, and Amazon, in addition to a host of other start-ups and individual tech entrepreneurs. Other big established industries in the Austin area include healthcare, education, and government.
Now, this leads to one question: which one is the city with the most job opportunities? Well, truth be told, that depends on your field of work and what you'd want to make out of life. For related jobs in the energy and healthcare field, it probably most likely would lie with Houston, while the other related ones in the tech field, or probably even to set up your own business, might be most preferable in Austin.
It is also worth adding that Austin has a much less level of unemployment compared to Houston—2.7% against 4.1%—and shows a high per capita income of $54,000 against $34,000. It will seem, therefore, that Austin leaves more promising potential in terms of employment and salaries. Bear in mind, however, that Austin has a high cost of living, so that surplus may not go very far there.
Lifestyle & Culture: Quirky vs. Cosmopolitan
Beyond jobs and expenses, one of the key points is the kind of lifestyle and culture that both cities carry. And from this point, Houston and Austin are very different.
Austin is a city in the United States of America very famous for a unique laid-back way of life and a bright arts and music scene. This town stays with so many spots to enjoy live music, galleries, festivals, and others. It's also pretty outdoorsy—chock-full of green spaces, miles of trails, and swimming spots.
Houston, on the other hand, is a big and more traditional urban center with cosmopolitan flair. The city is known to be America's most diverse, with its inhabitants speaking at least 145 languages. The city hosted some world-class museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The city's professional sports franchises include the Astros, Rockets, and Texans.
Both cities do represent food scenes both in this country and abroad. Houston really is representative of a food scene that is literally unparalleled and unprecedented in terms of its scope and variety. Everything from Vietnamese to Ethiopian to Pakistani. In its place, Austin has BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Food Trucks.
So what city does have the better lifestyle and culture? Well, that all really depends on you, indeed. If you're the kind of person who's looking to raise a family in a quirky, laid-back city with one of the best and most musical local arts communities around, well, then perhaps Austin is more your style. But if you're more the cosmopolitan type—think world-class museums and franchises in every sport under the sun—then perhaps Houston is more your speed.
So while both cities offer ample job opportunities, Austin may be a better fit if you work in tech, while Houston could be ideal if your career is in energy, aerospace, or medicine. With more disposable income, Austinites can afford to spend on services like cleaning services Austin to save time on household chores.
Of course, there are plenty of other factors to consider when choosing between Houston and Austin. Here are a few more to keep in mind:
Weather: The weather in Houston and Austin are relatively almost the same. Both are hot and humid during summer months, with an average rainfall level in Houston slightly higher at 49 inches per year compared to that of Austin, which is 35 inches per year.
Crime: Austin is not free from criminal activities compared to Houston. Its violent and property crime rates are lowered in Austin compared to those in Houston.
Traffic: Both cities have traffic problems, but in Austin, it is combined with infrastructure that hasn't caught up with very rapid growth in the city over the past few years.
Proximity: Houston and Austin are relatively proximate, only approximately 165 miles apart or just a drive of 2.5 hours. Thus, one can easily take a weekend break to the other city or go visit family and friends.
The Bottom Line
So, Houston is a better city than Austin, or is it the other way? Well, that is more complicated. Both cities have their ups and downs, and basically, preference of one to the other will be all in your personal priorities and likes.
If it is the living cost that is diversified, the job markets and wanting to have all the amenities of a big city, then Houston is more preferable. Add to that affordably priced housing and it's no wonder that Houstonians consider themselves well ahead of the game.
On the other hand, if one works in the technology industry, whoever loves the value of a laid life with a lot of outside activity and live music, then they need not mind paying relatively higher prices for houses in Austin. It's one of the things that really make this city such a city full of life: the startup scene of the vibrant scene, its cool culture, and the surrounding natural beauty.
Lastly, the choice between Houston and Austin is a matter of one's likes. Take into consideration the budget, career objectives, lifestyle, and some personal value factors with respect to the decision at hand. And of course, you couldn't go wrong with either city. Houston and Austin are just chalk-full of things to do and are perfect places to call home.
Oh, by the way, if ever you do move to Austin, make sure to get a hold of a great Austin cleaning service, because your new home there has to be kept spotless all the time. With all the outside activities and live music, you don't want to spend your precious time even exploring the city but not cleaning!