Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Houston, TX
VS
Victorville, CA
🏆 Houston leads 14 of 22 categories
Houston
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,440
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
2,296,253 ✓ Larger
Victorville
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,746 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
134,417
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Houston, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (6.6%)
Homes cost $66k less ($235,000 vs $300,600)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 35.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $226/mo less ($1,235 vs $1,461)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Victorville
Cons
Violent crime (1148.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4293.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Victorville by $5,306/yr
Victorville, CA
Pros
12% less violent crime than Houston
Households earn $5,306 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (1015.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Higher unemployment (10.3% vs 6.6%)
Longer commutes — 40.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Houston
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Houston
Median Home Value
$66k less
$235,000 vs $300,600
Houston
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
6.6% vs 10.3% unemployment
Victorville
Median Income
$5,306
$65,746 vs $60,440/yr
Victorville
Violent Crime
12% lower
1015.6 vs 1148.2 per 100k
Victorville
Summer Heat
4.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.5°F vs 93.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Victorville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $235,000 ✓ Lower | $300,600 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,440 | $65,746 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.4 min ✓ Shorter | 40.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 9.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 263⚠ High | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 302⚠ High | 267⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 204⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C- (57) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.2% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| High School or Higher | 79.6% ✓ Higher | 77.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | HOUSTON ISD | Victor Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.8°F ✓ Warmer | 58.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.2°F | 97.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.4" | 5.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,296,253 ✓ Larger | 134,417 |
| Median Age | 33.9 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 59.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.9% | 30.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.6% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Victorville's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Houston is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Houston leads 14 of 22 categories. Houston wins 14 and Victorville wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Houston to Victorville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($235,000 vs $300,600 median home), income ($60,440 vs $65,746), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Houston, TX and Victorville, CA are about 1,323 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.