Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Houston | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,753 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,753 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Average income growth | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
The median household income in Houston is about 14% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Houston (4.3%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Houston, Texas grew by 48.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,753 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Houston | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Houston | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.598 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,913 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,487 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.1% | 20.3% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Houston, it is 0.598, higher than Texas's 0.587, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 12% more than women's income in Houston, Texas.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Houston, Texas has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 11%.
Employment
| Metric | Houston | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.7% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 22 | 22 |
The average commute time in Houston is 25 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Houston, Texas has fallen from 8.2% to 6.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Houston, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Texas, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Houston, Texas.
How Rich Is Houston, Texas?
Houston has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $65,753, about 14% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Houston, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Houston, Texas is $65,753.
What was the median household income in Houston in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Houston, Texas was $65,753.
What was the median household income in Houston in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Houston, Texas was $56,238.
What is the Gini coefficient in Houston, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Houston is 0.598. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Houston, Texas?
The income gap between men and women in Houston, Texas has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 11%.