How Bad Is Houston?

We have heard a number of planners say that Houston's lack of planning is something that we don't want to have here in Portland,
so just how bad is Houston compared to Portland?

Red shows how far you could travel in 2001 in 1/2 hour
Green shows how far you could travel in 1986 in 1/2 hour
(Houston built roads, Portland built light rail)

Graphic by Wendell Cox

Misc comparisons

 

Portland

Houston

Unemployment

5.1%  (2006 Annual)

4.9 % (2006 Annual)
Average personal income

35,215 (2005)

39,052  (2005)
Average price of a home

280.8

149.1
Housing Affordability (home price / income)

7.98 years

3.8 years