Austin took the #2 spot in this national top-40 list for its economic strength.  Interestingly, 8 of the remaining top 10 on this list are in driving distance of Austin.  It’s no accident that these areas continually make these top-10 lists from various sources, the Texas area has economic strength and stability!  It’s what draws so many to the area as well.

1. San Antonio, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
6. Baton Rouge, LA
7. Tulsa, OK
8. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
9. Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, TX
10. El Paso, TX

Austin, a high-tech center, is also home to the University of Texas. Employment in the Austin metro peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product peaked in the second quarter. Home prices grew 2.5% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.1%, up 2.6 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 2
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 2
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 16
Home price change (year over year) rank: 18

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