Houston Rising: Why This Texas Town is One of the Best Places to Live and Work

Houston, TX may have had some tough times following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and the steep decline of crude oil prices. But Houston, true to its Texan roots, can’t be held back. The city is rapidly rebuilding itself, and becoming a prime hub for entrepreneurial and business activity.

Did you know Houston was named as one of the Best Places to Live by U.S. News? Here are just a few reasons why Houston should be on your radar.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Houston is lower than the national average. With affordable housing and low unemployment, the city is becoming a mecca for job seekers, families, and entrepreneurs alike. The average annual salary is also higher than the national average, at $52,870.

There are also a number of free and efficiently-priced things to do, like biking on the Buffalo Bayou or hitting the trails of the 7,800-acre George Bush Park. Houstonians thrive on outdoor living.

Check out this list of Houston cost of living.

Affordable housing

Houston manages to house its 6.7 million residents at surprisingly affordable costs. The median price of a home is $216,575, which is really low compared to similar metro areas, and the national average housing cost of $222,408. Prefer to rent? The median monthly rent is $955.

Benefits

The city may have been around since 1837, but its demographics are fairly young, with a median age of 33.9. As such, the city has been on the cutting edge of emerging technology, making it an exciting future-driven place to be.

Houston is a great place to raise a family, with impressive and educational attractions like the Children’s Museum of Houston and the Johnson Space Center. It’s also earned spots on U.S. News and World Report’s Best High Schools and Best Colleges.

Love music, sports, art, or shopping? Houston’s got it all with live music venues for music fans, its own NFL, MLB, MLS and NBA team for sports fans to root for, and of course, shopping centers and art galleries galore to appeal to even the most fastidious tastes. The Museum District, Theater District, The Galleria and the Underground Tunnel Tour will keep you busy in your off hours. Foodies can also rejoice at the more than 11,000 restaurants that range from down-home BBQ fare to a variety of ethnic cuisines. 

While Houston has a reputation for being hot in summer, average year-round temps are mild, ranging between 55.7 and 83.3 F. 

One of the best parts of Houston, aside from it’s thriving and fast-growing population, is that residents emulate the U.S. motto, United We Stand. Remember Hurricane Harvey and how the city banded together to help those in need? Houstonian’s don’t back down from a challenge or an opportunity to help their neighbors.

Jobs

If the cost of living isn’t enough to get you to Houston, consider this. With the city on the cutting edge of growth, technology (and startup activity), there are many jobs opening up that are calling people around the nation to plant their roots in Texas. It’s been estimated that Houston could see 70,000 new jobs this year alone.

Because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, the construction industry has started booming. At the end of last year, Houston gave the green light on $949 million worth of residential permits, approving a major rebuild.

But that’s not all. Last year saw job growth in in other industries, like manufacturing, professional, technical, and scientific services, as well as the public sector. And more than halfway through 2018, the outlook continues to be bright for these sectors. Plus, the mean hourly wage of $25.42 paces out the national mean of $23.86 by 7%.

Along with fast-growing jobs, the city’s low unemployment rates of 5.1%, and average commute times of 29.5 minutes make it an attractive place for job-seekers.

Want to see what Houston might have for you? Check out this list of positions now open throughout the metro area.