Methodology
How HavenQuest scores Texas cities
Transparent methodology. Real data. Honest tradeoffs.
The 12 lifestyle categories
Affordability
Housing costs relative to your income
Schools
Public school district quality
Safety
Crime rates and community safety
Walkability
Errands and daily life on foot
Transit
Bus, rail, and commute options
Nightlife
Bars, music, restaurants, entertainment
Outdoors
Parks, trails, nature access
Family Friendly
Overall environment for raising children
Remote Work
Broadband, tech culture, coworking
Low Taxes
Property tax rates and tax burden
Weather
Climate, sunshine, seasonal comfort
Traffic
Commute times and congestion levels
Data sources
| Source | Used for | Updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redfin | Median sale price, days on market, sale-to-list ratio, YOY price change | 02/2026–04/2026 | Monthly |
| TEA (Texas Education Agency) | School district letter grades (A–F) | 2024-25 | Annual |
| FBI/NeighborhoodScout | Crime rate per 100K population | 2024 | Annual |
| Walk Score | Walkability and transit scores | 2026 | Continuous |
| Zillow | Backup rent and home price data where Redfin unavailable | 2026 | Monthly |
| BLS / City data | Monthly utilities, groceries, transportation estimates | 2025 | Annual |
Scoring scale — 1 to 10
1–2
Poor
3–4
Below Avg
5–6
Average
7–8
Good
9–10
Excellent
Scores are directional and relative — a 9/10 in Traffic means minimal congestion vs Texas peers, not absolute zero traffic. Compare cities against each other, not against a national standard.
How the matching algorithm works
Each city receives a weighted match score based on your three priority buckets:
Must Have categories → score × 3x weight
Nice to Have categories → score × 1.5x weight
Not a Priority categories → score × 1x weight
The raw weighted score is divided by the maximum possible score to produce a percentage (0–100%). Cities are ranked by this score, highest first.
Must Have categories you don't fill are excluded from scoring, so the algorithm adapts to however many priorities you set.
The 40% affordability threshold
HavenQuest flags any city where your selected housing option would cost more than 40% of your gross monthly income. This threshold comes from standard housing affordability guidelines used by HUD and most financial planners.
The flag is informational, not disqualifying. A city can still match your lifestyle priorities even if housing is tight — you may have other income sources, low debt, or prioritize lifestyle over savings rate.
Disclaimer
Scores represent directional lifestyle guidance. Not authoritative financial, legal, or real estate advice. Verify all data independently before making relocation decisions. Market data, school ratings, and cost estimates are updated periodically but may not reflect current conditions. Data last updated 05/2026.