Staying in Texas, we arrive in Houston, our 4th best city for Black professionals. With a final score of 63.78, Houston boasts a strong business environment score (#3 in the nation), community and representation score (#4), and economic opportunity score (#7). But higher housing costs hurt Houston’s housing opportunity score, which ranks #20. 42% of black households in Houston spend more than 30% of this income on housing expenses.

Although Houston ranks lower overall, it does have a larger Black population than nearby San Antonio. 18% of Houstonites are Black, and the community is well-represented in some critical occupations: 21% of teachers are Black, as are 20% of doctors. Houston is also home to the HBCU Texas Southern University, helping a job market when the median Black income is several thousand dollars above average.

Similarly, 17% of local businesses are Black-owned, more than any other part of Texas. From the Mitochondria Gallery to Ten Skyncare and Wisdom’s Vegan Bakery, Houston has it all