Texas is home to nearly 28 million people, making it the second most populous state in the United States. It offers some of the best and most comprehensive health care options in the country. Texas is home to world-renowned medical centers such as The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, and St. David’s Medical Center. In addition to these major medical institutions, Texas has a robust network of local hospitals and medical facilities providing quality care for residents across the state. These facilities offer a wide variety of services including specialized treatment for chronic illness, preventive care, mental health services, and emergency care. Patients can also take advantage of walk-in clinics located throughout the state for minor injuries or illnesses. By providing access to quality healthcare close to home, Texans can maintain their health while staying connected with their local communities.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 161 physicians per 100,000 population in Texas. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Texas area is 95.3 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
95.3 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Texas area is 71 (100=best). The US average is 55.
71 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Texas area is 94 (100=best). The US average is 87.
94 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Texas commutes 26.1 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Texas area is 58 (100=best). The US average is 58.
58 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.