Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Burlington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Houston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Burlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
31% lower than Burlington's.
| Metric | Houston | Burlington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,199 | $1,742 | -31% |
| Groceries | $400 | $373 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $115 | +57% |
| Transport | $120 | $106 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $55 | +173% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $2,391 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 138 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 86% 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
$55,000 vs $61,000 in Burlington.
| Metric | Houston | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,122 | $52,855 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 101,157 idx | 38,301 idx |
| Household Income | $64,361 | $80,300 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 77.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 12x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Burlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,390,125 | 199,484 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 44.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 6.60% |
| GDP | $697.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
Burlington
Advantages
Burlington consistently ranks among the top livable cities in Canada, recognized for its high quality of life.
The city and the broader Halton Region maintain low crime rates, with violent crime decreasing for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Burlington offers a diverse and thriving economy with job growth in sectors like Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Biomedical & Life Sciences.
Its strategic location provides excellent access to major job markets and cultural centers in Toronto and Hamilton, with convenient transit options.
The city boasts significant natural beauty, including the Lake Ontario waterfront and the Niagara Escarpment, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 138.
Housing costs are particularly high, with average rents and property prices exceeding national and provincial averages.
Despite overall low regional crime, Burlington's specific crime rate was the highest in the Halton Region in 2025, particularly for property crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability outside of downtown areas.
Some residents note a limited nightlife, with many establishments closing by 10 PM on weekdays.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#31Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
Burlington
#2Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,742
Avg Salary
$52,855
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
81
Business
70
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