Houston, TX and Nashville-Davidson, TN are lively, culturally-rich cities with much to offer to residents and visitors alike. Houston, the fourth most populous city in the US, is known for its large healthcare and energy industries, diverse food scene, and sports teams. In contrast, Nashville-Davidson, also known as Music City, is famous for its country music, hospitality industry, and lower cost of living. Both cities provide unique living experiences with rich histories and vibrant cultures, varying in aspects like weather, education, and infrastructure.
Distance between
Houston, TX and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 666.4 miles
Houston's population is larger by 237%. Its population has grown by 334,619 people (17.1%) since 2000. The population of Nashville-Davidson has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) during that time.
Crime rates are a pertinent factor when considering city relocation or tourism. Houston has a higher crime rate than Nashville, although like most cities, crime is area-dependent. While both cities are investing in community outreach programs to enhance safety, it's recommended for visitors and potential residents to research specific neighborhoods to gauge local safety.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Houston is generally lower than the national average, offering affordable housing and fairly reasonable daily living costs. Nashville-Davidson's cost of living is slightly higher than Houston's, largely due to higher housing costs.
Income Tax
Both cities thrive in states with no individual income tax, which is appealing for those looking to relocate.
Property Tax
Both cities have property tax rates. In Houston, it's about 2.09%, whereas Nashville-Davidson’s rate is lower, approximately 0.96%.
Sales Tax
Texas has no state income tax and a sales tax of 6.25%, which can reach 8.25% with local taxes. Tennessee has a higher sales tax, around 7%, but also has no state income tax.
Income
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$55,499
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$36,265
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
97.2
90.9
If you make $50,000 in Nashville-Davidson, you will have to make $53,465 in Houston to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Houston is flat and prone to flooding, lying just above sea level. Nashville is hilly with a generally moderate climate.
Both cities shine in terms of education. Houston is home to the prestigious University of Houston and Rice University. Nashville is known for distinguished universities like Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University.
Houston has a robust economy, strengthened by the oil & gas industry, healthcare, and aerospace. It’s also home to 22 Fortune 500 companies. Nashville-Davidson's economy is fueled by healthcare, education, music, and tourism.
Biggest Employers
Houston's largest employers include Texas Medical Center, Shell Oil, and NASA. In Nashville, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nissan North America, and HCA Healthcare are among the prominent employers.
There were 7,146 building permits issued in Houston in 2012 (4571 more than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In Houston (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
2020
56.0%
65.0%
42.7%
32.6%
1.3%
2.3%
2016
54.0%
60.1%
41.6%
34.1%
4.4%
5.7%
2012
49.4%
58.5%
49.3%
39.9%
1.3%
1.6%
2008
50.5%
60.0%
48.9%
39.0%
0.6%
1.0%
2004
44.6%
54.9%
54.9%
44.6%
0.5%
0.4%
2000
43.0%
57.9%
54.4%
40.4%
2.6%
1.7%
1996
45.2%
79.3%
49.2%
18.1%
5.6%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.1%
4.9%
3.6%
2.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.2%
14.1%
26.8%
19.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.9%
0.8%
1.6%
1.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
1.5%
1.4%
1.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.3%
1.5%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
1.1%
1.7%
1.7%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.8%
0.5%
0.9%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.1%
0.5%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.1%
1.3%
Weather
Weather is another distinguishing factor between these two cities. Houston has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. Flooding can be a concern due to its proximity to the coast. Nashville, on the other hand, experiences a humid subtropical climate as well but with notably less heat and humidity during summer and rarely extreme cold in winter.
Weather and climate
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
69.7°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
80.3%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
36.7%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92.8%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
56.1%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
52.9 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0.6 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.4%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
67%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
43%
42%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Houston, Texas
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
2018
102
71
0.19
0.40
9.2
13.8
21.5
24.1
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
10.0
9.2
0.3
0.2
2017
96
70
0.16
0.38
9.4
14.4
23.1
26.8
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
9.1
8.7
0.3
0.1
2016
91
90
0.16
0.42
10.4
16.1
22.7
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
10.1
0.2
0.0
2015
109
68
0.15
0.43
10.1
15.5
21.7
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.9
10.8
0.2
0.1
2014
98
66
0.24
N/A
10.4
N/A
21.8
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
9.8
0.3
1.4
2013
106
62
0.25
N/A
11.1
N/A
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.6
9.7
0.4
N/A
2012
115
81
0.25
N/A
11.6
N/A
23.8
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
11.0
0.5
2.3
2011
118
81
0.27
N/A
10.8
N/A
24.6
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.5
11.0
0.8
1.7
2010
110
80
0.25
N/A
12.8
N/A
22.8
24.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
12.2
1.1
2.2
2009
115
72
0.21
N/A
10.5
N/A
22.1
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
11.5
1.0
2.4
2008
105
81
0.30
N/A
13.1
N/A
22.1
25.7
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.4
13.4
1.3
2.5
2007
119
99
0.31
N/A
15.2
N/A
20.5
27.4
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.5
15.5
1.9
2.7
2006
134
93
0.32
0.69
14.6
N/A
22.3
24.9
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
14.9
2.3
2.9
2005
126
104
0.42
0.56
16.3
N/A
22.8
23.5
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.9
16.9
3.5
3.1
2004
137
83
0.44
0.61
17.7
N/A
20.4
22.0
0.010
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2
2.6
2003
146
93
0.62
0.67
17.0
N/A
20.9
18.5
0.009
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
3.2
3.8
2002
128
92
0.55
0.67
16.1
N/A
19.7
20.2
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
1.7
4.3
2001
147
95
0.44
0.89
18.4
N/A
19.6
19.5
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
2.5
4.5
2000
136
97
0.50
0.74
17.0
N/A
22.0
19.8
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.1
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
187.3%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
63.9%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
32%
17%
Transportation
In Houston, although the layout is automobile-centric, METRORail and bus services are available. Nashville offers a range of transportation options with MTA buses, Music City Star Commuter Rail, and various rideshares.
Transport
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
2
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
44
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.5%
0.3%
Bus
2.4%
1.2%
Carpooled
11.1%
9.8%
Car alone
81.2%
85.5%
Railroad
0.1%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.6%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Average
32 min
31.3 min
Other means
27.1 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
47.6 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
9.7%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
2.4%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
In Houston, there are housing options for various budgets. Nashville-Davidson’s real estate market, while more expensive, has numerous new constructions and renovated homes, offering a variety of living options.
Neighborhoods
Houston's diverse neighborhoods each have their unique charm, while Nashville's neighborhoods offer an interesting mix of urban and suburban blends, each famous for distinct music and art scenes.
Houses and residents
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
1,028,763
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.3
Median year apartment built
1985
1986
Median year house/condo built
1976
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.4 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
924,981 (89.9%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
390,226 (42.2%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
534,755 (57.8%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,323
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$1,134
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$334,556
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$236,700
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.5
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$348,048
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$232,228
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$205,330
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$297,061
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$68,903
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$299,072
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$337,365
$412,434
Median house age
40
35
Renting percentage
54.6%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,775.5
699.9
House value disparities
40.9%
31%
Household income disparities
49%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$109,539
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$65,707
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
4,386 (2.1%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,696 (3.6%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
207,809 (97.9%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
421 (0.2%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,969 (5.6%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
13
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.4%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.5%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
43.2%
50.9%
One, attached
4.8%
8.4%
Two
2.2%
3.3%
3 or 4
4.4%
3.1%
5 to 9
7.1%
7.1%
10 to 19
10.9%
8.7%
20 to 49
7.7%
5.3%
50 or more
18.6%
11.9%
Mobile homes
0.9%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
75,956
31,952
State government workers
38,359
15,693
Unpaid family workers
2,429
463
Industries and Occupations
In Houston, occupations in the healthcare, education, energy, manufacturing, and aerospace are abundant. Nashville is quite diverse, with opportunities in healthcare, education, music, tourism, and increasingly in tech.
Houston shines with Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. Nashville is also strong in healthcare with facilities like Vanderbilt Medical Center as part of the city's healthcare-oriented economy.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Houston has a wide network of highways, and the METRORail provides public transit options. Nashville, while not as sprawling, has an international airport, commuter rail service, and bus transit system. Both cities are continually investing in infrastructure improvements.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Houston
Nashville-Davidson
1999
9,163
2,397
2000
0
1,451
2001
0
1,130
2002
0
1,075
2003
8,173
2,231
2004
11,803
2,731
2005
15,127
3,231
2006
16,911
3,720
2007
10,643
2,419
2008
4,410
952
2009
2,279
532
Culture and Food
Houston offers a melting pot of cultures with an impressive culinary scene. Nashville-Davidson is famous for its Southern roots, the Grand Ole Opry, and finger-licking good Southern cuisine.
Sports Teams
In Houston, the Rockets (NBA), Astros (MLB), and Texans (NFL) call the city home. Nashville-Davidson is home to the Titans (NFL), Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS).
Houston, TX and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 666.4 miles
