The San Antonio Business Journal wrote earlier this week that Texas ranks 13th in the Financial Happiness Index." The Index is based on the economic well-being in the United States and was taken from a cross-section of key financial factors such as the average non-mortgage debt relative to average annual income foreclosure numbers and the unemployment rate.
It is no wonder that Texas is a content state. It was noted for having below average unemployment as well as low non-mortgage debt for a percentage of income both of which are the uncommon majority in the U.S.
This statistic also helps explain why Texas continues to see a population influx as people move from other parts of the country that have been affected by the recession.
A report from online consumer resource group Relocation.com showed that 62 percent of moves in the country from 2007 through the first of 2009 were people moving to Texas. Only 38 percent of people were leaving.
With many consumers moving to find better job opportunities or standard of living we are seeing strong interest in Texas" said Sharon Asher chairman and founder of Relocation.com.
Our analysis of the data over the last couple of years shows the state is continuing to move in a positive direction."
In fact the report shows that other than El Paso all major Texas citys have more people moving in than leaving. Austin has 60 percent of incoming movers going to Austin and only 40 percent of the cities people leaving; San Antonio has a 14 percent higher move-in percentage than move-out percentage; 56 percent of movers are coming to Dallas while only 44 percent of Dallas people are outbound; and Houston has 54 percent of the people moving in and only 46 percent moving out.
While these statistics are nice to hear today it challenges the legislature to keep Texas economy strong the budget below her means and the welfare of the people at the forefront of Texas policies for the future prosperity of Texas.
