TEXAS – Only two Texas suburbs made Money magazine’s list of Best Places to Live in America this year. One of those was Rockwall, Texas, outside of Dallas, and the other was New Braunfels, Texas.

The magazine listed 50 places around the country based on a study that considered cities and towns with a population of at least 25,000. They removed any place that had more than double the national crime risk, a median income level lower than 85 percent of its state’s median, or little to no ethnic diversity.

After gathering over 1,000 communities that met these qualifications, the study weighed economic factors such as employment opportunities, housing, cost of living, diversity, and health and safety. Education, weather, lifestyle, and amenities were also heavily analyzed. Money also took into consideration the safety and unemployment effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

While the Dallas suburb of Rockwall ranked No. 4, New Braunfels landed in the middle slot at No. 25.

The city of New Braunfels, often known as a Texas summer destination, was recognized heavily because there is an expected rise of 17% in employment by 2025. This projection is connected to the well-known tourist accommodations, including the Comal River, Schlitterbahn waterpark, and the annual Wursfest that gathers over 100,000 people each November.

The magazine says local hotels, retail and restaurants are the city’s top employers, but health care, construction and manufacturing also add to the job market. In addition, automotive company Continental recently announced plans to build a factory in the area, which is expected to add another 130 jobs in a few years.

The aesthetic of being part of the Texas Hill Country also makes this quaint city an attractive place to live. New Braunfels is along I-35, smack in the middle of two major cities. Both San Antonio and Austin are only about a 30- to 45-minute drive away. The cost of living and housing in New Braunfels is also significantly less than those larger cities.

Rockwall was also recognized for its booming employment opportunities. While the nation’s unemployment rate was at 11.1 percent, Rockwall’s rate sat only 7.2 percent. The magazine also highlighted its walkable downtown area and artsy small-town feel.