Houston, Texas is a big city with a population of 2,240,582 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,520 people per square mile, Houston is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Houston identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 38% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. The median age of all Houston residents is 33, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for young singles.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Houston, Texas. To help you find the best places to live in and around Houston, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living, weather, employment and more.
With a livability score of 79 out of 100, Houston is ranked #2,441 in the United States and #486 in Texas. Clearly, Houston is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Houston also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Houston ranks very well for amenities (A+), cost of living (B), weather (A-), education (B+) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Houston does not rank well for, including: crime (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Houston on a regular basis. Knowing that there are an abundance of amenities and things to do can ensure that you always have access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: The Galleria, The Galleria, and Space Center Houston.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Houston has an unemployment rate of 0.82% probably means that there are ample job opportunities for you to consider as it is far below the national average.
The average school test scores in Houston are 68%. This far exceeds the national average and ensures that this educational system will provide your children with the skills and the tools they need to thrive.
Finding affordable real estate and apartments for rent in Houston can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are available, most people will need to know if the real estate in Houston is actually affordable. The median home price for Houston homes is $140,300, which is 1.7% lower than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Houston, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 15.4% higher than the Texas average. Year over year appreciation rates for homes in the Houston area were 7.4% and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 8.3%. Why is this important? Knowing the appreciation rates for any area is a quick and easy way to determine if you will see a solid return on your investment.
| Statistic | Houston | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.3% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.7% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.0% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.1% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.5% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
| Airports (within 30 miles of city center) | 2 (2) | 25 | 354 |
| Amtrak train stations (within 30 miles of city center) | 1 (2) | 31 | 711 |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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