In the age of new urbanism, where does our metro area rank in terms of density and sprawl?

“Density” and “sprawl” have become big buzzwords in housing the last couple of years, and for good reason. With gas prices, public transportation and, most importantly, climate change in the news, Americans have been re-thinking their living accommodations more carefully than at any time in recent memory.

Enter “Measuring Sprawl 2014,” a massive new study from Smart Growth America that analyzed the development patterns in 221 metropolitan areas and 994 counties in the United States as of 2010. Using four main measurements – development density; land use mix; activity centering (proportion of people/businesses near each other); and street accessibility – the study assigns an index score to the nation’s major metro areas, with a higher score meaning a more dense, compact area.

Urban Density in Houston

And where did our beloved Houston area rank? With an index score of just 76.7, Houston was among the most sprawling metro areas in the nation.

Such numbers, we should add, are more than just statistical gymnastics. As Smarter Growth America puts it, “several quality of life factors improve as index scores rise.” From greater economic mobility, to lower combined costs on housing and transportation, to longer, safer, and healthier lives, there are numerous benefits, the study argues, in compact living.

See our graph below to find out how Houston compares to other metro areas.