City Comparison
Houston vs Folsom
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
California, USA
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Houston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Folsom
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Houston | Folsom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $682 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $253 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $348 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Houston | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 49.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | — |
| Median Age | 34.0 | |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
Folsom
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#287Texas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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