Where homes are affordable

Residents who live in these 25 growing towns see their incomes go the furthest.

6 of 25

6. Deer Park, TX

Median home price: $138,135

Median family income (per year): $89,323

Called "The Birthplace of Texas," Deer Park is located between Houston and the Houston Ship Chanel - which was hard-hit by Hurricane Ike last year. Deer Park started as just a hotel and post office, which were built in 1893 by a pioneer from Illinois. The town's growth surged in the years following 1928, when oil giant Shell began construction on a massive oil refinery and chemical plant along the Houston Ship Channel.

Today, the Shell plant employs 1,700 people. The refinery is the sixth-largest refinery in the United States. The chemical plant makes base chemicals or raw materials that go into the manufacturing of plastics and other consumer products.

Most families have been in the area for generations, but, with Houston less than 30 minutes away, there are some commuters.--C.C.

See complete data and interactive map for Deer Park

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