Houston, Texas Income Statistics
Houston Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Houston Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Houston | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,547 | $78,939 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,184 | $56,913 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.9% | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 12.1% | 12.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Houston is about 14% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Houston (4.1%/yr) than in Texas (4.6%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Houston earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Texas average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Houston, Texas grew by 52.6% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $67,547 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Houston
| Metric | Houston | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.581 | 0.570 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $59,515 | $66,147 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $52,950 | $53,058 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.0% | 19.8% | 18.4% |
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 0.581, higher than Texas's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 12% more than women's income in Houston, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 12% wage gap accumulates to roughly $229,775 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
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%. Over that period the gap was widest at 13% in 2012, and was narrowest at 9% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,558 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Houston | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.1% | 14.4% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 91,785 people are unemployed in Houston, Texas.
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 6.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.1% in 2013 and fell as low as 5.8% in 2019.
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 $67,547, about 14% lower than the Texas average of $78,939.
Are incomes growing in Houston, Texas?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Houston, Texas rose 53%, from $44,252 to $67,547. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Texas as a whole: +53% against +64%.
What was the median household income in Houston in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Houston, Texas was $65,747, up 4% from $63,082 in 2022. The Texas median that year was $76,528.
What was the median household income in Houston in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Houston, Texas was $56,233. By 2024 it had risen 20% to $67,547.
Is unemployment high in Houston, Texas?
Unemployment in Houston, Texas is 6.9%, well above the Texas rate of 5.2%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Houston, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Houston is 0.581. 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 0.552, 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%. Over that period the gap was widest at 13% in 2012, and was narrowest at 9% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,558 since 2009.
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