Austin and Houston are cities located in Texas, and both are major urban centers in the state. They are about 150 miles (around 240 km) apart. Both cities experience a hot and humid climate; in fact, they have an almost identical climate, thanks to their close proximity to each other.
Although Austin is the capital of the Lone Star State, Houston claims more residents in Texas. Austin’s population is only around 960,000, while Houston’s population is about 2.3 million people. However, both cities are growing quickly, so these figures might change in several years.
In terms of median population age, it’s around 35 years for the two Texan cities. However, Austin’s residents are wealthier and more educated than Houstonians. The median household income for Austinites is around $90,000, but Houstonians’ median household income is only about $60,000. Austinites are also more educated, with 61.7% having a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to Houston’s 37.1%.
Houston and Austin are distinct in many more ways. Here are some of the differences between Austin and Houston.
Housing & Rental Market
When it comes to the real estate market, Houston has more favorable prices on both houses and rentals. Based on the May 2024 data of Zillow, an American tech real estate marketplace firm, Houston’s median home price is about $271,943, while it was around $551,906 in Austin.
Rentals are also more expensive in Austin than in Houston. A one-bedroom apartment can cost an average of $1,707 per month in the city, while Houston’s rent prices are around $1,342 per month.
The reason why Austin’s housing market is more expensive than Houston’s is because of its compact size. Austin is only 297.90 sq. miles (roughly 8 sq. km), while Houston is 599.59 sq. miles (1.55 sq. km).
Economic & Job Opportunities
While both cities are enjoying booming economies, they differ in their industry focus. Austin’s economy is bolstered by its tech industry, while Houston has its oil and gas companies. Because of this, both cities are experiencing healthy job growth.
With tech giants setting up shop in Austin, many professionals are flocking to the city to find job opportunities. In addition to Apple, Google, Meta, Tesla, Amazon, and Dell, the city also attracts startups. Thanks to all these innovative powerhouses, Austin has become known as a “Tech Hub.”
On the other hand, Houston’s oil and gas industry makes up between 5 and 10% of the city’s economy. Known as the “Energy Capital of the World,” Houston is a great place for skilled professionals looking for work at some of the world’s major oil and gas experts, such as CITGO, BP, Billiton, Shell, and Baker Hughes.
Culture & Lifestyle
Thanks to its tech giants and startups and their penchant for drawing in the young professionals, Austin emits a youthful and laid-back vibe. It is famous for being the “Live Music Capital of the World” because of its live music events and other offerings. You can enjoy musical performances in its more than 250 live music venues, from bars and pubs to outdoor festivals to the city’s streets. It also hosts numerous music festivals, including Viva La Vida, Levitation (formerly Austin Psych Fest), South by Southwest (SXSW), and Austin City Limit Music Festival.
On the other hand, Houston is a bigger city than Austin, with more than 7 million people including many immigrants bringing their own flair and unique flavor to the metro. Houston features a dynamic cityscape and a progressive community that welcomes both creativity and inclusivity. As a result, Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country.
The city is big on museums and the performing arts. There are more than 19 museums located within a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) radius in the city. Some of the most famous are the Menil Collection, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, NASA’s Houston Space Center, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It is also home to the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Grand Opera, and the Houston Ballet.
Major League Sports Teams
When it comes to professional sports, fans prefer Houston over Austin. The latter only has one major league sports team, Austin FC (Major League Soccer), although there is a growing enthusiasm for sports in the city. Despite its bleak performance in the major leagues, Austinites do love minor leagues and collegiate athletics.
On the other hand, Houston is home to several major league teams, so you could consider it a major sports city. Its professional teams include Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Dynamo (MLS), and Houston Astros (MLB). The proliferation of professional sports teams in the city can perhaps be attributed to state-of-the-art facilities and a rich sports tradition.
Transportation
Both Austin and Houston share in their traffic woes and rush hour madness. However, when it comes to public transportation, Houston offers a more comprehensive network consisting of buses, light rail, and park-and-ride services, all of which are managed by METRO, its metropolitan transit authority.
Austin, on the other hand, relies on buses and a light rail system. In short, the public transport system in the city isn’t as comprehensive or extensive as residents would want it to be. So, many rely on commuting in their vehicles.
Contrary to Austin, Houston’s public transport system is quite extensive, serving a vast area. It provides vital transit connections throughout the sprawling city. However, bike-sharing and scooter-sharing programs, such as Lime, B-Cycle, Bird, and Jump Bikes, have taken off in Austin, but not so much in Houston, where it’s taken longer to catch on with residents.
Healthcare
When it comes to healthcare, Houston offers renowned medical facilities that provide top-notch world-class care in gynecology, cardiovascular disease, and many other fields. These medical facilities include Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann Health System, and the Texas Medical Center, which is one of the biggest medical complexes in the world. These facilities also conduct clinical practice and research.
So, if you have any health-related issues, such as pre-existing conditions, you should seriously consider Houston.
