Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Orlando
Florida
Pop. 307,738

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

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
66
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Houston wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Houston wins 2–1 overall (71/100)
💰 Houston is more affordable
💼 Orlando has lower unemployment
🛡️ Orlando has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Orlando — The Verdict

Houston scores 71.2/100 compared to Orlando's 66.8/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Houston has a clear edge with home prices 29% lower. Houston may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Houston are 29% lower — a difference of $97,700 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Houston saves you $274/month — that's $3,288 per year.
💵
Households in Orlando earn $5,852 more per year (10% higher median income).
💰 Houston vs Orlando: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
65
Median Home Value
$235,000
$332,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$1,509
Median Income
$60,440
$66,292
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Houston offers home prices 29% lower than Orlando, translating to $97,700 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Houston vs Orlando: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.3%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Houston vs Orlando: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
9.2°F
Winter Low
°F
5.2°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.5"
Annual Snow
"
0.0"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Orlando: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
12
12 Good
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 Orlando: 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 Orlando: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
20
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
High
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Houston to Orlando: Common Questions

Is Houston or Orlando cheaper to live in?
Houston is more affordable overall. Home prices are $97,700 lower in Houston. Monthly rent is $1,235 in Houston vs $1,509 in Orlando.
Does Houston or Orlando have better weather?
Houston scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Houston or Orlando better for finding a job?
Orlando currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 4.3% in Orlando. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $66,292 in Orlando.
Which city is safer — Houston or Orlando?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Orlando is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 20 in Orlando. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Orlando.
Should I move from Houston to Orlando?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs Orlando's 66.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Houston is more affordable, while Houston 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.