Midland is a fast-growing small city in West Texas with a diversified economy that includes the health-care, energy and agricultural sectors. As the home of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Midland has become a hub for health-care research and innovation. The city also serves as the support center for the Permian Basin drilling region, which is expected to produce 5.4 million barrels of oil per day by 2023—that’s double 2017 levels. This strong business climate pushes Midland up to #8 in our Household Income ranking, and a new food hall and four-star hotel downtown will enable residents to spend that money locally. Of course, Midland isn’t all business—it’s also a nice place to live. The city’s excellent weather and low crime rate (both ranking #4) give it a #4 overall ranking in our important Place category… yet its proximity to Big Bend National Park also makes it a great place to escape from.