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Houston is America's fourth largest city, due in large part to the shipping industry and the growth of the cotton and oil industry in Texas. It is the largest port in the world, that is not on the water.
In this city, health care is also a major industry. Patients come for expert opinion and treatment from all over the world. The Intercontinental Airport is a link to many major cities and countries, and Hobby Airport, provides easy access for domestic travelers and is close to the medical center.
This is an international business center. Houston was the site of the 1990 World Economic Summit on the campus of Rice University and was the location of the 1992 Republican National Convention. There are high-rise office buildings, parks, sculptures and fountains, historic homes and landmarks throughout the city. Cultural events, premier facilities and performances abound with five colleges (Rice University, the University of Houston, St. Thomas University, Houston Baptist University, and Texas Southern University), museums of art, science, and medicine, planetariums and the Wortham Center, which is the home of Houston's Grand Opera and ballet companies. The Houston Symphony performs in Jones Hall. The Alley Theater, the new Hobby Center, multiple small theater groups and comedy clubs provide theatrical and musical entertainment. The zoo, Astroworld, Galleria ice skating rink, Galveston and its historic Strand, Clear Lake, and Lake Conroe provide recreational diversions. Houston's Reliant Dome and Compau Center are home for professional sports, the Livestock Show and Rodeo, rock concerts and other year round entertainment.
Enclosed malls like the Galleria and quaint neighborhood shops are also located in Houston. Some of the country's finest restaurants provide culinary delights and offer various colorful surroundings in which to dine. The NASA Johnson Space Center is just a short drive away for those wanting diversions that are "out of this world".
The city features festivals year-round from various countries, and art exhibits that constantly vary; there are laser shows in the nighttime skies, fireworks on summer evenings at Astroworld, outdoor concerts and Shakespeare festivals on various weekends throughout the year in Hermann Park. Houston is in every way, a world-class city for educational and cultural growth.
Cost of Living
Houston provides the opportunities and conveniences found in large cities, but is more affordable than many small cities. Bargain housing prices and a low tax burden keep living expenses in Houston below those in most other major metropolitan areas.
The ACCRA Cost of Living Index shows that Houston's living costs for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile are 13 percent below the average for 311 urban areas nationwide and 24 percent below the average for 24 metro areas with populations of more than 2 million.
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Los Angeles - 54.7 percent above average
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New York - 48 percent above average
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Boston - 34.2 percent above average
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Washington, D.C. - 33.6 percent above average
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Miami - 16 percent above average
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Denver - 4.7 percent above average
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Phoenix - 0.4 percent above average
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Atlanta - 3.1 percent below average
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Dallas - 6.3 percent below average
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Houston - 13 percent below average
Houston's housing costs are 28 percent below the nationwide average and 48 percent below the large-metro average. Houston has the lowest housing prices among these 24 large metros.
Houston’s grocery prices are 25 percent below the major metro average, the lowest within this group.
Utility costs in Houston are 4 percent below the major metro average.
Transportation costs are 6 percent below the average.
Healthcare costs are 9 percent below the average.
Costs for miscellaneous goods and services in Houston are 13 percent below the average.
Source: Greater Houston Partnership
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