Lowest Cost of Living
Among 24 Metropolitan Areas with Populations of More Than 2 Million
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index 2006

Most Affordable Housing
Among 24 Metropolitan Areas with Populations of More Than 2 Million
Source: ACCRA Cost of Housing Index 2006

Job Growth
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - March 2007

Fastest Growing Companies
Source: Fortune - September 18, 2006

Largest Immigrant Communities in the U.S.
Source: Center for an Urban Future - April 10, 2007

Most Popular City with Movers
Source: U-Haul National Migration Trend Report - 2006

Best Business Climate in the Nation
Source: Site Selection - March 2007

Most Logistics-Friendly Metros
Source: Expansion Management & Logistics Today - Logistics Quotient

Best Hospitals for Cancer Care:
M. D. Anderson-Texas Medical Center
Source: U.S. News and World Report - July 2005

Top Logistics Metros for Waterborne Commerce
Source: Expansion Management

U.S. Metros for Business and Careers
Source: Forbes - May 2006

Fortune 500 Headquarters
(ranked by Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Source: Fortune - April 5, 2006

Number of Foreign Consulates (83)
Source: Houston International Protocol Alliance

Total County Population
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census - March 22, 2007

Overall Financial Performance of Local Charities
Source: Charity Navigator - June 2006

Total Number of “Insourced” Jobs
Source: Organization for International Investment - September 2006

Top 10 Underrated U.S. Cities
Source: MSNBC.Com - April 2007

Most Hispanic-Owned Businesses in the U.S.
Source: Center for an Urban Future: A World of Opportunity – April 2007

Retail Investment
Source: Weaver Davis & Jacob Realty Group as reported in Business Wire

Top 10 Cities for African Americans
Source: Black Enterprise - May 2007

Total City Population
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census - October 2006

Best Business Opportunity Metro
Source: Expansion Management - August 2006

Top 10 Best Value Private Colleges
Rice University
Source: The Princeton Review - 2007 Edition

Best Values: National Universities
Rice University
Source: U.S. News & World Report - America’s Best Colleges 2006

Most Asian-Owned Businesses in U.S.
Source: Center for an Urban Future: A World of Opportunity - April 2007

Top 10 Metros for New & Expanded Facilities
Source: Site Selection - March 2007

Fastest Growing Metro Area for Women-Owned Businesses
Source: Center for Women’s Business Research - 2004

Best Places to Live
Source: Places Rated Almanac 2000 - Current Edition

Largest Central Business Districts
Source: Demographia - June 2006

Off-the-Radar Tech Hub
Source: eWEEK - June 2006

Top 10 Cities for Green Technology Innovation
Source: SustainLane - March 2007

Top 10 Specialty Hospitals in World
Rehabilitation, Cancer Centers, Heart Surgery, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Pediatrics and Psychiatry
Source: U.S. News and World Report - July 2006