And it’s not just the size that stands out.
“Houston’s economy is not just growing faster than the nation on average,” the report said. “It is also growing faster than nearly all its peer metros.”
Over the past two years, Houston’s economy expanded by 10.6 percent; one of the fastest growth rates among the country’s largest metro areas, according to the report. That momentum has continued into more recent data. Metro Houston added 17,500 jobs in 2025, according to revised figures from the Texas Workforce Commission, an increase from earlier estimates and a sign the region’s growth was stronger than initially reported.
That kind of growth has pushed Houston into a new tier.
The region is now the sixth-largest metro economy in the U.S., moving ahead of Washington, D.C., and joining a small group of cities producing more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars in annual output.
But the way Houston is growing is just as notable. Manufacturing is the region’s largest economic driver, accounting for $126.9 billion in output and 16.7 percent of Houston’s GDP. That’s more than four times the share tied directly to oil and gas extraction.
The report also highlights how much Houston’s economy has shifted over time, with oil and gas’ share of GDP falling to 3.8 percent even as total output has increased. As Chron previously reported, the city’s energy sector has continued to evolve even as the region diversifies.
At the same time, Houston remains deeply connected to the global economy.
“Nearly one-quarter of Houston’s total economic output was exported to foreign markets. No other metro comes close,” the report explained. “Houston exports roughly four times the share of its economic output as its nearest large peers, Dallas and Chicago.”
And despite its industrial backbone, Houston workers are among the most productive in the country. That growth has placed new demands on the region’s workforce, with industries like construction and manufacturing facing ongoing labor challenges. In 2024, for example, output per worker exceeded $220,000; nearly 19 percent higher than the national average.
“Houstonians bring deep human capital to the job, from skilled trades to advanced degrees, reinforced by a strong work ethic long associated with the area,” the report concluded. “When skilled workers are matched with substantial capital and local know-how, productivity rises.”
Together, the numbers point to a city that’s not just growing, but also evolving beyond the industries it’s long been known for. That shift has also helped position Houston as a competitive job market across a range of industries.