Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Harrisburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Harrisburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
52% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
42% higher than Harrisburg's.
| Metric | Houston | Harrisburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,265 | +42% |
| Groceries | $682 | $400 | +71% |
| Utilities | $253 | $180 | +41% |
| Transport | $348 | $120 | +190% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $150 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $2,115 | +52% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 23% higher 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 Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $55,000 in Harrisburg.
| Metric | Houston | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $61,016 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 60,412 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $108,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Harrisburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Houston.
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 | Houston | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 214.9x the population of Harrisburg.
From a growth perspective, Harrisburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Harrisburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 10,791 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 0.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
Harrisburg
Advantages
Harrisburg boasts a very low unemployment rate of 0.8% as of 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
The city has a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
Harrisburg is experiencing rapid population growth, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income of $108,724 is well above the national average, reflecting strong economic opportunity.
The average commute time of 19 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Harrisburg is slightly higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
Public transportation options are limited or non-existent, leading to high car dependency.
Walkability scores are low or unavailable, indicating a less pedestrian-friendly environment.
Rapid population growth can place pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
There are no major hospitals directly within Harrisburg, requiring travel to Sioux Falls for comprehensive healthcare.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
Harrisburg
#13South Dakota, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,265
Avg Salary
$61,016
Cost Index
101
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
0.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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