Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I live in and love Houston but jeez. I cant see how anyone could objectively say Houston is on the level with Chicago. Chicago is a world class city. Houston is a rising star with world class elements, but its not fully world class yet.
All in all though, Houston is still a really great city and a pleasure to call home. On paper, Id rather live in Chicago, however in reality I prefer Houston. That side Chicago is still a superior city.
You can go on and on about museums, architecture, density, higher ed, etc. all you want. At the end of the day Houston has 3 important aspects Chicago doesn't: No state income tax, numerous jobs(not just white collar crap that you need a Master's or a crapload of certificates for) and as you mentioned a massive medical system.
Of course Illinois has a state income tax.
The other two points are just wrong: 1)Chicago and Chicagoland have more total employment than Houston (and Chicago has tons of blue-collar jobs just like Houston also has a lot of white-collar jobs) and 2)Chicago has massive medical systems and one of the largest medical centers in the world (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illi...dical_District)
If not for the crazy weather Houston would spank Chicago from coast to coast.
chicagos weather is crazier anywho. it can get just as hot as houston can during summer, but see much colder temperatures in winter. even greater bipolarness in chicago compared to houston, with wild temperatures going all through the fall to spring season, not just a few winter days as in houston. thats why biodiversity is lower in the midwest compared to houston, the midwest climate is too harsh.
Sophie's choice for Houston. While both areas have terrible climates, Houston at least is warmer during winter. There's nothing I hate more that winter freezes and snow.
Houston is getting close to offering comparable amenities to Chicago, on paper anyway.
What separates the two is the experience a visitor has when taking in those amenities.
On one hand you have Chicago. You have a lot to do. You get a Ventra (CTA) card and the city's yours.
On the other hand you have Houston. You have a lot to do. It can take a lot of traveling to see a lot of it. You will have to have a car, or pay a lot more money for taxis or ridesharing services than you would pay for a rail/bus pass. There is rail and bus, but you're sharing ROW with traffic 99.5 percent of the time and it's slow.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.