Midland, TX, known as 'The Tall City,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Midland County, Midland is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Odessa (20 miles) and Lubbock (120 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Midland's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Midland is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Petroleum Museum, the historic Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, and the scenic I-20 Wildlife Preserve. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Beal Park to the bustling Midland Park Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Midland's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Tex-Mex cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Midland County Fair and the Permian Basin International Oil Show highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Midland's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Midland College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Midland is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Midland Community Theatre and the Museum of the Southwest are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Midland provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Midland’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Midland RockHounds (Double-A Central), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Midland include oil and gas, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Midland Memorial Hospital and Chevron driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Midland is a medium-sized city located in the state of Texas. The city has a population of 145,324 residents. At 75%, the majority of the Midland population is White; this is followed by 8% Black and 2% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Midland are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 31% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Midland residents is 31, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Midland is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Midland, Texas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like commute, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Midland and in the areas around Midland is a much easier task.
Midland has a livability score of 78 out of 100 and is ranked #64 in Texas and #2,196 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Midland ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Midland ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we know that Midland ranks very well for cost of living (A) and employment (A+). Midland does not do well for the following: amenities (D) and crime (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Midland, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 2.4% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Midland has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Midland meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Midland. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Midland are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Midland come in at $426,062, which is 65.9% higher than the Texas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Midland, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 6.2% higher than the Texas average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Midland | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.4% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.1% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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