HOUSTON – A new study released by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research explores the financial status of residents in the Houston area.
Data collected from 2010 to 2023 asked Houston area residents, “Overall, which one of the following best describes how well you and your household are doing financially these days?”
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The options provided were: “Finding it difficult or just getting by,” “Doing OK,” and “Living comfortably.”
The study surveyed nearly 10,000 residents across Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties.
Most residents in these counties reported that they were either “doing OK” or “living comfortably.”
However, the study reveals that approximately 26% of residents in Fort Bend County, 38% in Harris County, and 30% in Montgomery County indicated they were either “finding it difficult” or “just getting by.”
Residents in Harris County are more likely to report financial difficulties compared to those in Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. In Montgomery County, a higher percentage of residents are “living comfortably” compared to those in Fort Bend and Harris counties.
The study also highlights pronounced income inequality across the area, which affects people’s experiences and perceptions.