Honolulu ranks as one of the top metropolitan markets for text messaging, according to a new ranking by Scarborough Research.

Half of cell phone subscribers who are 18 or older use their phones to send text messages, a distinction that's also shared by Phoenix, San Diego, Houston, Philadelphia, Albuquerque, New York City and San Antonio.

Scarborough, a consumer and media research firm, said youth and cultural diversity are two shared demographic traits among so-called texters.

The firm said targeting texters could be appealing to marketers wanting to reach people in the right place at the right time. The group also is an avid technology shoppers and more likely to shop online.

Scarborough said texters spend an average of $87 monthly on their cellular bill compared to the average subscriber's $75.

El Paso, Texas was to the top market for texters, with 57 percent of cell phone subscribers using text messaging.

Fort Myers, Florida, Charleston, West Virginia (36 percent each) and Grand Rapids, Michigan (35 percent) were the local markets least likely to text message.