How HavenQuest scores Texas cities

Affordability

Measures housing cost burden based on the ratio of median rent or home prices to median household income, sourced from Redfin and Zillow. A score of 10 means typical housing costs well under 30% of median income; a score of 1 means housing is severely unaffordable for most earners. This is the single most important filter for relocators on a budget.

Schools

Based on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) district letter grade assigned annually to each school district, reflecting student achievement, campus growth, and graduation rates. A high score indicates an A or B-rated district where the majority of campuses meet or exceed state standards. Families with school-age children should treat this score as a primary filter.

Safety

Derived from FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data and NeighborhoodScout's crime index, measuring total crimes per 100,000 residents. Both violent and property crimes are weighted in the calculation. A score of 10 means significantly fewer crimes per resident than the Texas average — not zero crime, but a meaningfully safer community.

Walkability

Pulled directly from Walk Score's city-level walkability rating, which measures how many daily errands — groceries, coffee, restaurants, retail — can be completed on foot. Most Texas cities score low due to car-dependent suburban planning; a score above 6 here is a genuine differentiator. Data is continuously updated by Walk Score.

Transit

Uses Walk Score's transit score, measuring the frequency and geographic reach of public bus, rail, and commuter transit options. Reflects how much of the city is realistically reachable without a car. Texas is broadly car-dependent, so scores above 4 indicate genuinely functional public transit for daily commuting.

Nightlife

Reflects the density and variety of bars, live music venues, restaurants, theaters, and entertainment options relative to city size. Data is compiled from Yelp category counts, venue density per capita, and editorial review. Scores are relative to Texas peers — a 9 here rivals Austin-level entertainment density.

Outdoors

Scores access to parks, hiking trails, lakes, rivers, and nature reserves based on green space acreage per resident and proximity to regional natural areas. Texas Hill Country and lake cities score highest; dense suburban sprawl without nearby nature access scores lowest. Data sourced from Trust for Public Land and city park databases.

Family Friendly

A composite score drawing on school quality, crime rates, park access per capita, and family-oriented amenity density — playgrounds, family restaurants, pediatric healthcare, community centers. High scores indicate a city where the overall built environment actively supports households with children, not just one where schools are good.

Remote Work

Measures broadband infrastructure quality using FCC fixed-broadband availability data, average download speeds, co-working space density, and local tech ecosystem maturity. High scores indicate reliable gigabit internet options from multiple providers, a visible remote-worker community, and the coffee-shop culture that comes with it.

Low Taxes

Based on the county-level effective property tax rate per dollar of assessed home value, sourced from county appraisal district data. Texas has no state income tax, making property taxes the primary tax variable for residents. A score of 10 means a low rate relative to Texas peers — meaningful for both owners and renters (landlords pass taxes through in rent).

Weather

Scores year-round climate comfort based on average annual temperature, relative humidity, number of extreme heat days above 100°F, and total annual sunshine hours. Coastal cities tend to score higher for mild winters; Hill Country cities for low humidity and elevation cooling. No Texas city escapes the summer heat — the score reflects how tolerable the overall year is.

Traffic

Derived from TomTom Traffic Index and INRIX congestion data, measuring average peak-hour commute delay and congestion percentage. This is an inverse score — 10 means minimal congestion, 1 means severe. Austin consistently scores near the bottom; smaller and outer-ring Texas cities score highest. If daily commute time is a priority, this score matters more than most.

Healthcare