One question that comes up all the time in our work is what is the difference between a percentage change and a rate of increase? Answer: They are the same idea, just expressed differently. For instance, if you say the price of oil increased by 100% that is the same as saying that the price of oil doubled.
So mathematically, the 100% increase is equal to a 2.0 times increase. So generally, you can subtract one from a change factor (i.e. 2.0 times higher) to get the percentage increase.
The number of job openings in Texas for nurses, therapists, and physician assistants decreased from 9,612 to 9,298 from May 2014 to June 2014. The searcher-to-job opening ratio increased from 1.09 to 1.52 during that same span.
Image source: http://www.carrollhs.org/s/1253/index.aspx?pgid=877
Median rent rose in both San Antonio and Laredo from May 2014 to June 2014; it fell in Corpus Christi during the same span.
Median house prices for San Antonio and Corpus Christi rose from May 2014 to June 2014. Median house prices for Laredo fell from May 2014 to June 2014. 
Image source: http://www.asemooni.com/news/economic-news/the-president-agreed-with-the-increase-in-housing
SBA study on business closure rates (as opposed to failure) provides some insights on business survival rates. In a 2003 study, the SBA found 50 % survived, 17% were successful but closed and 33% closed and unsuccessful after 4-5 years.
The study found 39.5% survived after 6 years.
Source:
Headd, Brian, “Redefining Business Success: Distinguishing Between Closure and Failure,” Small Business Economics, 21, 2003, pp. 51-61, reprinted by the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, 2003.
The number of job openings in Texas for “petroleum engineers” and “geological and petroleum technicians” decreased from 640 in May 2014 to 622 in June 2014, while the searcher-to-job opening ratio increased from 0.90 to 1.4 in the same span.
The number of job openings in Texas for “derrick operators” and “roustabouts” decreased from 283 in May 2014 to 270 in June 2014, while the searcher-to-job opening ratio increased from 2.63 to 3.01 in the same span. 
Image source: http://wonderfulengineering.com/what-is-petroleum-engineering/.
A:Economies of agglomeration
Prof. Moretti in his book ‘Geography of Jobs’ identifies three things, that economists collectively refer to as the forces of agglomeration, as driving factors.
One is the size and thickness of the specific labor markets. Thick markets allow workers and employers to make better and better informed and longer lasting employer matches.
Two is the ecosystem. Effectively, Moretti shows how the soil that we are planted with our employers is a huge contributor to our individual success. For instance he resents several interesting examples that show how both smart and not-so smart people benefit from being around smart people.
The number of cited patents example is particularly interesting and telling. He also makes it clear that having access to funding is made easier when the cities’ ecosystem is better developed.
Three are knowledge spilling overs.
Texas June 2014
Total number of job openings and median searcher-to-job ratio across all MSAs (metropolitan statistical areas) for each major occupational group in Texas in May 2014.
| Occupation | openings | s2jratio |
| Management, business, and financial occupations | 54098 | 0.7 |
| Professional and related occupations | 77613 | 1.19 |
| Office and administrative support occupations | 52093 | 1.2 |
| Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations | 16796 | 1.42 |
| Service occupations | 61409 | 1.65 |
| Sales and related occupations | 26907 | 1.76 |
| Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations | 888 | 2.24 |
| Transportation and material moving occupations | 17950 | 2.28 |
| Production occupations | 20146 | 2.7 |
| Construction and extraction occupations | 15616 | 5.01 |
Texas June 2014
Total number of job openings and median searcher-to-job ratio across all MSAs (metropolitan statistical areas) for each major occupational group in Texas in May 2014.
| Occupation | openings | s2jratio |
| Management, business, and financial occupations | 54098 | 0.7 |
| Professional and related occupations | 77613 | 1.19 |
| Office and administrative support occupations | 52093 | 1.2 |
| Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations | 16796 | 1.42 |
| Service occupations | 61409 | 1.65 |
| Sales and related occupations | 26907 | 1.76 |
| Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations | 888 | 2.24 |
| Transportation and material moving occupations | 17950 | 2.28 |
| Production occupations | 20146 | 2.7 |
| Construction and extraction occupations | 15616 | 5.01 |
Compared to June of last year, all of the main MSAs (metropolitan statistical areas) in Texas saw an annual increase in the number of job openings and decrease in the searcher-to-job opening ratio.
