Photo: Katie Haugland Brown · CC BY 2.0On CDC estimates, Houston as a whole is healthier than 38% of U.S. towns
Houston differs from Texas on 12 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 10 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Houston. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Houston
Houston has 22 hospitals within its borders
22 hospitals and 15 community health centers are inside Houston. Houston Methodist Hospital is rated 5 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room, one of two five-star hospitals in town. Getting care ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Houston
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (27.1%), vs 19.3% across Texas. Utility shut-off threats (15% vs 10.7%) and housing insecurity (22.2% vs 16.4%) are higher too. 22.8% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Houston
50.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 16.3% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Checkups ↓
Health varies a lot right around Houston
Grades next door run from Cinco Ranch (A) to Channelview (C−). Houston is a C+. Around town ↓
Houston is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Houston is healthier than 38%. Against the 9,906 towns with similar household incomes ($49K–$81K), it’s healthier than 53%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Texas figure falls outside Houston’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B.
What’s behind Houston’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Houston is healthier than 38% of U.S. towns, #306 of 641 in Texas. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 62% of U.S. towns); fair or poor health pulls it down (better than 19%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Houston’s median household income is $64,813; among the 9,906 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($49K–$81K), it’s healthier than 53%, about where its income would put it.
Where Houston compares well: arthritis, 19.3% (U.S. 25.3%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 5% (U.S. 7.9%).
At 2,397,315 residents, Houston is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Care in and near Houston
22 hospitals and 15 community health centers in Houston.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Houston; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
22.8% of Houston adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Keeping up with care
Share of Houston adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Houston and the towns around it
Houston’s Health Grade ranks 8th of 11 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | C+ | 38% | 13.9% | 13.6% | CDC place |
| Channelview | C− | 40.9% | 14.1% | 14.9% | CDC place |
| Spring | B | 37.3% | 11.6% | 12.4% | CDC place |
| Atascocita | A− | 35.3% | 10.1% | 10.8% | CDC place |
| Mission Bend | C+ | 35.7% | 15.5% | 12.6% | CDC place |
| Fresno | C+ | 38.8% | 12.8% | 12.6% | CDC place |
| Cinco Ranch | A | 28.5% | 10.4% | 8.3% | CDC place |
| Pearland | A− | 33.4% | 10.9% | 9.6% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 Houston adults…
Houston runs below TX on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 12% of Houston residents are 65 or older, vs 13% across Texas. Arthritis and cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Everyday habits, side by side with Texas
Share of adults, with the Texas figure marked.
444 miles of trails across 306 parks and preserves
How Houston adults are doing
About the same as Texas on each measure.
A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Houston adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Houston
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Houston is better than Texas on 2 and worse on 10; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Houston’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Houston | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.2%22.1–26.4 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.6%12.2–15 | 13.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.1%15.5–18.8 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 38%33.7–42.3 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 13.9%12.5–15.4 | 12.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 33.1%30.3–35.9 | 33.1% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.8%31.8–37.9 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 19.3%17.4–21.4 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 9.4%8.4–10.5 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5%4.6–5.5 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.6%5.1–6.1 | 5.6% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 5.9%5.4–6.5 | 5.7% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.5%3.3–3.8 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 16.3%13.9–18.8 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 13.6%12.1–15.2 | 12.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 28.8%25.7–31.8 | 27.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.7%14.4–19.1 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.8%37.3–44.4 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 24%22.1–26 | 19.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 72.7%69.6–75.6 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 50.2%47.4–52.9 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.3%80.5–84 | 84.6% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 73.2%70.5–75.7 | 74.1% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 55.2%51.3–59 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.9%64.6–76.6 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 19.9%17.5–22.4 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 30.9%28–34 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 27.1%25.2–29.1 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 22.2%20.4–24.2 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 15%13.6–16.5 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14.1%13–15.2 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 22.8%21.1–24.5 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 33%30–36.1 | 30.9% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.2%13.7–16.8 | 14% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.1%15.6–18.7 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6%5.4–6.7 | 6.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 8.2%7.7–8.8 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.6%8.7–10.5 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.2%4.9–5.6 | 4% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Texas figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Houston
Is Houston a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Houston is healthier than 38% of U.S. towns: C+ for health, #306 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 53%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Houston?
CDC estimates 38% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.7% and 42.3%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Houston?
St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston, 2.9 miles in a straight line from Houston’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Houston have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 24% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 22.1–26%), against 19.1% across Texas.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Houston more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Houston.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Texas figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.