2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Pearland

Texas (TX)
Best for: Higher-income families seeking Houston jobs, schools and suburban housing
Pearland TX 2027 livability
Medium City
2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents
Modern Livability80.4/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population129,930
Median Home$356,300
Median Rent$1,860
Median Household Income$118,842
Cost of LivingRPP 98.6 (US=100; BEA 2024)
Average Commute30.5 min
Unemployment4.3% (BLS 2024 annual avg)
Metro AreaHouston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

80.4overall
Housing & Financial Reality86.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living77.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability86.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity95.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness83.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion59.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape76.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture79.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionHigh. Regional commuting and major corridors can create recurring peak-hour delay.
Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks and regional day-trip destinations provide useful weekend variety.
WalkabilityAbout 23/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is generally car-dependent, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.
Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, with larger nearby hubs expanding domestic and international options where needed.
Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks, trails and regional recreation provide meaningful outdoor options.
Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical routine and advanced-care access.
Air QualityGenerally manageable, with seasonal pollen, ozone, smoke or weather-related episodes as the main concerns.
Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide regular gathering places.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Growing
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Pearland is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #224 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest advantages are high incomes; schools; houston jobs; family neighborhoods; healthcare access. The clearest tradeoffs are flood and hurricane risk; traffic; car dependence; heat and humidity. The MNM profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Pearland feels shaped by high incomes and its broader houston metro / gulf coast setting. Neighborhood choice has a meaningful effect on commute, walkability, housing cost and overall day-to-day experience.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

High incomes; schools; Houston jobs; family neighborhoods; healthcare access.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Flood and hurricane risk; traffic; car dependence; heat and humidity.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Pearland ranks