A Map Comparing Housing Affordability vs Oil & Gas Drilling Locations
For the past five years, I’ve studied a relationship that’s often ignored in public policy and real estate: the overlap between housing affordability and energy production sites. When you compare maps of U.S. housing prices with those of oil and gas drilling, refining, and power generation, a clear pattern appears. The most affordable homes tend to be in areas close to heavy industrial energy operations—or far away from any major city at all.
This connection isn’t accidental. It’s driven by a mix of environmental, economic, and social factors that shape where people can live comfortably—and where they choose not to.
The Geography of Energy and Housing
Across the United States, the cheapest housing markets are often found in regions with strong ties to the energy sector. Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and parts of Wyoming and North Dakota all have large concentrations of drilling and refining activity. While these regions generate enormous economic output, they also carry environmental and health trade-offs that make them less desirable for long-term living.
When you layer oil and gas maps from DrillingMaps.com with housing affordability data from sources like Zillow or the U.S. Census Bureau, you see strong spatial correlation. Cities and counties with active drilling zones, pipelines, and refineries consistently show lower median home prices compared to areas of similar size without those facilities.
Why People Avoid Living Near Energy Operations
In my analysis, the biggest factor appears to be perceived environmental risk. Most people, especially families, prefer not to live near drilling rigs, refineries, or power plants due to concerns about air quality, noise, and industrial accidents. Even when no active pollution event is occurring, the visual presence of oil tanks, flares, or heavy trucks creates a sense of unease.
Another factor is air quality. Studies by the EPA and health organizations have shown that regions with high concentrations of refining or flaring activity often experience elevated levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. This can worsen asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular issues—making such areas less appealing for long-term housing.
There’s also a psychological and financial component. Neighborhoods located near industrial zones often face zoning restrictions, higher insurance premiums, and slower property appreciation. In contrast, communities farther from energy infrastructure tend to attract higher-income buyers, better schools, and stronger retail growth.
Affordability in Energy-Heavy Regions
To be clear, not everyone avoids these areas. Many working-class families and energy sector employees live near drilling and refining operations because of affordability and proximity to jobs. Towns like Midland, Texas or Bakersfield, California have economies deeply tied to energy production, which creates stable employment but suppresses property values.
For many households, lower housing costs outweigh the risks. In regions where average home prices are below $250,000, proximity to industrial operations can make homeownership attainable for first-time buyers. However, this affordability often comes with trade-offs in air quality, noise, and long-term investment value.
Remote vs. Industrial Affordability
Interestingly, the map reveals two very different kinds of affordable areas in the U.S.:
-
Remote Rural Areas – Counties far from major highways or cities, often in the Great Plains or interior West, where housing is cheap due to limited demand and infrastructure.
-
Industrial Energy Corridors – Regions near oil fields, refineries, or power plants where affordability exists because of environmental trade-offs and local industry saturation.
While both offer lower costs, the motivations differ. Remote regions appeal to those seeking quiet, open space, and self-sufficiency. Industrial areas, meanwhile, draw residents with steady blue-collar work and lower living expenses.
Case Studies: Texas, California, and Pennsylvania
Texas: In West Texas, the Permian Basin is one of the most active oil-producing regions in the world. Towns like Odessa and Midland experience housing booms when oil prices rise, but affordability remains relative because of the constant industrial presence.
California: In contrast, areas near refineries—such as Wilmington, Carson, and Richmond—show some of the state’s lowest home prices despite their proximity to major cities. Air quality issues, noise, and periodic flaring events contribute to long-term price suppression.
Pennsylvania: In the Marcellus Shale region, natural gas drilling has revitalized rural economies, but it’s also created tension. Locals appreciate the economic boost, yet surveys show that nearby homeowners often worry about water contamination and truck traffic, which impacts perceived livability.
The Broader Implications for Urban Planning
These trends raise important questions for policymakers. Should affordable housing incentives push people toward areas with known environmental hazards? How can cities and counties balance economic development with health and livability?
Maps comparing energy production and housing affordability can serve as powerful planning tools. They help highlight where environmental justice concerns intersect with economic opportunity. Regions that rely heavily on energy infrastructure often have lower property taxes and higher industrial employment—but they may also struggle with healthcare costs, declining schools, and outmigration.
Over time, this dynamic can deepen inequality between cleaner, more expensive urban regions and cheaper, more polluted rural zones.
The Next Step: Mapping Environmental Equity
By continuing to map and analyze these correlations, we can better understand how land use decisions shape health and wealth outcomes. Energy mapping is not just about locating wells or refineries—it’s about seeing how industrial activity influences where people live, how much they pay, and what risks they face daily.
A national “Energy vs. Affordability Map” could help visualize these patterns in real time. By layering datasets from the EPA, EIA, and Census Bureau, along with housing price indices and drilling site coordinates, we can make the trade-offs visible. Transparency empowers both policymakers and residents to make informed choices about their environment and investment.
Conclusion: Affordability Comes With Trade-Offs
After studying this data for the last five years, my conclusion is clear: most people do not want to live near oil and gas drilling, refining, or power plant operations. The most affordable places to live are either remote or adjacent to large industrial energy operations where air quality and environmental risks remain a concern.
Affordability, in this case, reflects not just economic opportunity—but tolerance for environmental compromise. While energy infrastructure is essential for modern life, it continues to shape the American housing landscape in ways most people don’t see—until they look at the map.