Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Houston, TX: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of August 2026
Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs Houston, TX side by side
| Metric | ● Boston-Cambridge-Newton | ● Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 16 | 39 |
| Price Momentum | — | 31 |
| Inventory Health | 2 | 30 |
| Affordability | 9 | 56 |
| Economic Strength | 45 | 40 |
| Rental Yield | 9 | 41 |
| Median Sale Price | — | $344K |
| Price-to-Income | 5.6 | 4.2 |
| Payment-to-Income | 35.1% | 25.4% |
| Months of Supply | — | 5 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 3.8% | 5.0% |
| Overvaluation Index | 40 | 60 |
Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.
How Boston-Cambridge-Newton and Houston, TX compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Houston, TX leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs Houston, TX 56/100.
- Inventory Health: Houston, TX leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 2/100 vs Houston, TX 30/100.
- Economic Strength: Boston-Cambridge-Newton leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 45/100 vs Houston, TX 40/100.
- Rental Yield: Houston, TX leads — Boston-Cambridge-Newton 9/100 vs Houston, TX 41/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Houston, TX?
Houston, TX scores higher — 39 vs 16 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.
Is Boston-Cambridge-Newton or Houston, TX more affordable?
Houston, TX is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.6 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton and 4.2 in Houston, TX.
Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Boston-Cambridge-Newton market brief and the Houston, TX brief.