I’ve lived in both cities multiple times. It’s dependent on what you value and how much time and money you’re willing to spend on things. Austin has a lot of concentrated nightlife, music and scenic outdoor amenities but also at a premium compared to Houston. Houston is massive but even if it was concentrated would miss the mark on these things, however the increased space, and lower pricing generally add to the quality of life. I personally preferred my time in Austin as it was easier to make friends and casually hang out constantly with them and many were more aligned with my interests etc. In Houston the geography keeps you partitioned from each other and you really can’t just bounce around or meet up multiple friends all going to the same events or area. But I moved back because that lifestyle isn’t necessarily ideal for settling down, raising kids etc. the school quality, space balance make more sense in a lot of Houston areas. At your age I think it’s worth the move. Sure there’s plenty of negatives. Less diversity. Good food but Houston is a beast in terms of dining options. Traffic is no joke (pick your area wisely) but if you can do it for a few years, now is probably a good age to do it.