Why Houston
As the Energy Capital of the World and the most diverse city in the United States with over ninety consulates, Houston is the ideal city to move your business to. Not only is Houston a great place to work, it is also an ideal place to live. In fact, Houston was named the third amongst the twenty most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S. for the lowest overall cost of living and the “Top Destination City” for U-Haul rentals.
"With over ninety consulates in Houston, the city ranks in the top 3 Metros in the United States for the number of consular offices."
Market info
- Houston has more than 730 foreign-owned firms.
- Houston boasts more than 90 Foreign Consulates in Houston.
- Houston is ranked 3rd in number of Fortune 500 headquartered there and in 2015 Houston was ranked 8th in the number of Fortune Global 500 firms it holds.
- 430 Houston companies have offices abroad in 144 countries.
- The Port of Houston ranks 1st in U.S. import tonnage and 2nd in total tonnage in the U.S.
- Houston is the 4th largest metro economy in the U.S. and the 23rd largest economy in the world.
- In 2015, Houston exported $110.2 billion in goods and services.
- Houston had a GDP of $525.4 billion in 2014.
- Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport had 43 million passengers travel through it in 2015, with more than 10 million international passengers. Likewise, the William P. Hobby Airport opened a $156 million international concourse in October of 2015.
- The Houston Airport System has 198 domestic and international destinations.
- “Nine foreign countries have representation through Houston’s 19 foreign banks.”
- “Fourteen of the nation’s 30 largest FDIC-insured banks… operate full-service branches or commercial loan offices in the Houston region. These 14 include the four largest banks in the nation.”
Location
Houston is equidistant from both the East and West Coasts of the United States. The city is 1,630 miles away from New York and 1,560 miles away from Los Angeles, making it easy to reach any domestic metro area by air in only a few hours.
Houston is a geographically advantageous location for both factories and supply chain logistics due to its proximity to major metro areas throughout the Midwest.
American gateway
Houston is a gateway for trade between the Americas with a steady trade market between both Mexico and Canada as well as a growing market in Latin America.
Houston is home to two passenger and air cargo airports, Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport.
Energy
Houston is known as the Energy Capital of the World and a proud member of the World Energy Cities Partnership. Houston is also home to the largest medical complex in the world, the Texas Medical Center.
International
US Census Bureau estimates the amount of foreign born population in Houston is 1.6 million, which is about 1 in 4 residents out of the metropolitan area population of Houston of 6.3 million. There are more than 140 languages spoken in Houston, and more than 90 foreign consulates in the Houston area.
Focus industries
Houston is a major center for Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Engineering, Manufacturing, Health & Medical, Information Technology, Marine & Harbour, Real Estate, Education & Training and Financial & Insurance Services.
Learn about our Focus industries.
