Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Houston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Houston's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Houston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,199 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,049 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 59% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alabaster is estimated at
$72,000 vs $55,000 in Houston.
| Metric | Alabaster | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,018 | $98,122 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,835 idx | 101,157 idx |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $64,361 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 77.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Alabaster is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alabaster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alabaster | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,917 | 2,390,125 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $697.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alabaster
#15Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
Houston
#24Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
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