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.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
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 moderately-sized city located in the state of Texas. The city has a population of 141,194 inhabitants. The majority of Midland residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and 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. Midland tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 31 is far below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Midland will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Living in Midland can be a great experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Texas, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Midland and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes health & safety, education, employment and other important metrics.
Midland, TX receives 78/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #60 in Texas and #2,007 in the USA. Clearly, Midland is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Midland has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Midland scores well for cost of living (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Midland ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D). It might be worth taking a closer look 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 2.31% 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 robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Midland excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Midland real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Midland. The median home price for Midland homes is $238,000, which is 66.8% higher than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Midland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 11.5% higher than the Texas average.
| 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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