Houston may have a growing population, but this year it didn’t quite make the cut for the world’s “Top 50 Best Cities.”
The latest ranking from World’s Best Cities puts Houston at No. 58 in 2025, down from No. 48 last year.
Recommended Videos
Still, the city isn’t losing its shine. The report calls Houston “a coveted hometown for the best and brightest on earth. And beyond,” highlighting its booming population, growing economy, and big investments reshaping the region.
The Houston metro added nearly 200,000 new residents last year, bringing the total to 7.8 million people. And while it might not crack the top 50, Houston still ranks No. 16 globally for Large Companies and No. 19 for Economic Output, showing it’s a magnet for business and industry.
Big moves like Chevron relocating its headquarters from California to Houston, complete with a $100 million renovation, are helping fuel that growth. Add in record activity at Port Houston, which handled more than four million containers in 2024, and a projected 71,000 new jobs in 2025, and it’s clear Houston is still on the rise.
Energy is a big part of the story. The HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub scored up to $1.2 billion in federal funding, aiming to create 45,000 jobs and cut 7.7 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Chevron is also planning a $5 billion blue hydrogen and ammonia facility, set to break ground in 2027.
And it’s not just about business. Houston remains surprisingly affordable, with Zillow reporting a 2024 median home value of $265,000, well below the national average. Cultural projects are also popping up, from the Greenside development in West Houston, which will turn warehouses into retail, restaurants, and a community hub by 2026, to the first U.S. Ismaili Center, opening later this year as a gathering place and cultural landmark.
Even though Houston slipped down the rankings this year, its Standard of Living score, currently No. 37, is climbing, and with all the growth and new projects underway, the city could easily bounce back in the years to come.