Want to live in a town that has the life and growth of a big city but with an affordable price tag? After comparing 924 cities with populations from 25,000 to 100,000, nerdwallet.com has compiled the Top 20 Best Small Cities to live in — and two Houston-area suburbs — Friendswood and League City — are on the list.
Considering factors like future growth, home ownership costs and poverty levels, Friendswood ranks No. 2 with a score of 82.4, only .5 points behind the No. 1 spot, Carmel, Ind.
What makes Friendswood so appealing? According to the survey,
Friendswood is a fairly small town, with just under 29,000 residents over age 16 in 2012. The population has grown significantly in recent years, rising 15% over a three-year period. Meanwhile, the poverty rate dropped 2.9% over a three-year period, and fell to 1.7% in 2012."
League City, with a population of 88,188 in 2012, places 19th on the list, with a score of 78.6 points. Its population has skyrocketed a whopping 27.8 percent over three years, although its income growth decreased by 1.6 percent, possibly due to cutbacks at the nearby Johnson Space Center. (Even though Friendswood is also nearby, that city's income growth increased by 9.5 percent over the same period, however. See the full report here.)
With a prime location between Houston and Galveston, expect both of these small cities to grow even more over the next few years.
A shot of League City's flag along with the shuttle transportation this past year.
Dinosaur Valley State Park. ttpwd.texas.gov/ 