Midland, TX Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Midland, TX: What You Need to Know

Midland, a city in western Texas, is known for its petroleum and a special connection with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

Job Opportunities

Midland and neighboring Odessa are dubbed Petroplex for their petroleum. They’re located in the Permian Basin, which covers western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the top oil and gas producer in America. Among Midland’s biggest employers are Anthem Oil & Gas and Big D Companies, both based in Midland, Anadarko Petroleum, Chevron, Centurion Pipeline, Enertia Software, and Halliburton Energy Services.

Local Culture

The George W. Bush Childhood Home in Midland honors two presidents and one governor – Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The elder Bush bought the house in 1951 when he entered the oil business. George W. Bush, his first child, was only five at the time. He spent his formative years in Midland, while Jeb was born in the city. Laura Bush was born in Midland, where she married George W. Bush in 1977.

Local History

True to its name, Midland was founded in 1884 as the midway point between Fort Worth and El Paso on the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Indeed, the town was first called Midway. But the name was changed upon the opening of the town’s post office, because there were already other Midways in Texas. Midland became the seat of Midland County in 1885. The city was transformed from a cattle shipping center into an oil town with the discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in 1923. Midland is sometimes called the Tall City for its skyscrapers, a product of the oil boom in the 1980s. 

Cost of Living

You’ll get the most of your paycheck in Midland (population: 146,038) where you won’t even have to pay state income tax. Midland’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 12.4%, 5%, and 35.1% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in the city is $1,262. The Lone Star State doesn’t collect state income taxes. Its sales tax rate ranges from 6.25% to 8.25%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Midland, full of oil workers, is known for its economic opportunities. Some residents think the city’s single-minded focus on business sacrifices the development of the cultural and social facets of community life, including boosting public schools. If you’re looking for great schools, your family might be better off in the suburbs such as Andrews and McKinney Acres, both known for their safe and friendly environment.