Former Houston native here so I will weigh in. Houston being less affordable that NYC is debatable. I have lived in 3 other states and 5 other major cities and everywhere I have been has been a give and take situation.
For example, property taxes in Texas are legalized robbery. But in Ohio, property taxes are pretty low. But I get to pay state, and local city income taxes so my savings in that category is made up for in another. Same goes for food, rent, transportation, etc.
Sprawl has to do with annexation. Texas allows larger cities to annex smaller ones and that is how Houston is getting bigger via sprawl. Last thing Houston, Dallas, or Austin wants is to be locked in geographically. Houston would rather go to court to fight Dallas to annex a city than build skyscrapers used for housing.
For example, property taxes in Texas are legalized robbery. But in Ohio, property taxes are pretty low. But I get to pay state, and local city income taxes so my savings in that category is made up for in another. Same goes for food, rent, transportation, etc.
Sprawl has to do with annexation. Texas allows larger cities to annex smaller ones and that is how Houston is getting bigger via sprawl. Last thing Houston, Dallas, or Austin wants is to be locked in geographically. Houston would rather go to court to fight Dallas to annex a city than build skyscrapers used for housing.
It's money and power. Cost of living...eh...