Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Ontario
California
Pop. 176,326

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
51
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Houston wins 3–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Houston wins 3–1 overall (71/100)
💰 Houston is more affordable
💼 Houston has lower unemployment
🛡️ Houston has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Ontario — The Verdict

Houston scores 71.2/100 compared to Ontario's 51.8/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Houston has a clear edge with home prices 54% lower. Houston has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 4.3%. For safety-conscious movers, Houston has a notably lower disaster history with 8 fewer declarations in 20 years. Houston may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Houston are 54% lower — a difference of $278,000 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Houston saves you $591/month — that's $7,092 per year.
💵
Households in Ontario earn $17,630 more per year (29% higher median income).
📊
Houston has a 1.2 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Houston has experienced 8 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Houston vs Ontario: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
25
Median Home Value
$235,000
$513,000
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$1,826
Median Income
$60,440
$78,070
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Houston offers home prices 54% lower than Ontario, translating to $278,000 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Houston vs Ontario: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
35
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
5.5%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Houston having a slight edge at 4.3% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Houston vs Ontario: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Ontario: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
12
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Houston vs Ontario: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Houston vs Ontario: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
29
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Low
Houston has a markedly lower disaster history — 8 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Houston to Ontario: Common Questions

Is Houston or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Houston is more affordable overall. Home prices are $278,000 lower in Houston. Monthly rent is $1,235 in Houston vs $1,826 in Ontario.
Does Houston or Ontario have better weather?
Ontario scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Houston or Ontario better for finding a job?
Houston currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 5.5% in Ontario. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $78,070 in Ontario.
Which city is safer — Houston or Ontario?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Houston is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 29 in Ontario. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Ontario.
Should I move from Houston to Ontario?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs Ontario's 51.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Houston is more affordable, while Ontario has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.