Bigger Is Better
Size does matter: Houston homes are the second largest in the nation
Everything's bigger in Texas, they say, including houses.
With a median square footage of 1,900, homes in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land region are the second-largest in the nation, according to recent study released by the financial website, 24/7 Wall St.
"Unlike many other areas with larger-than-average homes, the housing market in the Houston area is relatively affordable," the report also notes.
"Unlike many other areas with larger-than-average homes, the housing market in the Houston area is relatively affordable," the report also notes. "A typical square foot in the area had an estimated price of just $75, one of the lower figures nationwide. Put another way, a median-sized home with 1,900 square feet of living space typically cost less than $145,000."
The study says the Greater Houston households earned $57,366 in 2013 — among the highest figures statewide and more than the national median household income of $52,250.
The report based its findings on median square footage in the 200 largest core-based statistical areas (CBSAs). These are larger than geographical designations by the U.S. Census Bureau and include more than one metro area in several instances.
Two other metropolitan areas help keep the larger-than-life Texas creed alive, too: Austin-Round Rock at No. 9 and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington at No. 10. The median square footage for Austin-area houses is 1,837, and for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, 1,828.
Residents in the Greater Austin area are "some of the state’s wealthiest and most well-educated residents," the report says, noting a typical household brought in $61,750 last year. Also, 41.5 percent of adults had attained at least a bachelor’s degree as of last year, one of the highest rates nationwide and the highest rate in Texas.
"High incomes also likely explain the area’s large homes," the findings show for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. "A typical area household earned $57,398 last year, versus the national median household income of $52,250."
Coming in at No. 1 for median liveable area is Provo-Orem, Utah, with houses at 1,980 square feet.
Take a look at the rankings for the top 10 areas with the largest houses. You'll see that Texas and Colorado dominated the chart.
1. Provo-Orem, Utah, median square feet, 1,980
2. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, median square feet, 1,900
3. Colorado, Springs, Colo., median square feet, 1,899
4. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga., median square feet, 1,872
5. Raleigh, N.C., median square feet, 1,871
6. Boulder, Colo., median square feet, 1,865
7. Greely, Colo., median square feet, 1,854
8. Fort Collins, Colo., median square feet, 1,851
9. Austin-Round Rock, median square feet, 1,837
10. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, median square feet, 1,828
