As at 2019 alone, over 500,000 people moved to Texas and more than 170,000 people relocated there from other parts of the country in 2021. People have various reasons why they are looking to go there.
For some it could be because of their jobs, for some it is a good retirement destination, or a family could just be looking to change location and settle there.
No matter your reason for deciding to move there, one thing you are sure to be on the lookout for are the best places one can live in Texas. Luckily for you, that is what this article will be focusing on.
We have put together a list of some of the best places one can reside in Texas and we also provided some statistics that you can put into consideration while making your choice.
Top Texas Places
1. Austin
Not just is Austin the capital of Texas, it is also a great place for one to reside in the state. The city is dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World”, and that should let you know that the live music scene there is amazing. Whether it be country, rock or blues, live music is not in short supply in this city.
Also, if you are one for outdoor recreational activities Austin is the city for you. There are a lot of parks where you can go to either to simply relax or to partake in any outdoor recreational activity of your choice.
What more does the city have to offer? How about festivals such as the SXSW festival?
The city is also becoming a tech hub with tech giants such as Google, Apple and Tesla setting up shop there.
| Metro Area Population | 2.1 million |
| Average Salary | $55,190 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,273 |
| Median Home Price | $377,693 |
2. Killeen
Another place that made it to our list is Killeen, a city situated in central Texas and quite close to Austin. Some people refer to Killeen as an army town due to the fact that it is close to the Fort Hood military base.
Killeen is without doubt a lovely city and has everything you require for an enjoyable stay. The fact that it is close to Austin is also a bonus as the capital city gets to rub off on it.
| Metro Area Population | 444,716 |
| Average Salary | $45,190 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $921 |
| Median Home Price | $160,950 |
3. El Paso
El Paso is situated on the far western corner of Texas and is another nice place one can reside in. It boasts of several mountain trails with amazing views.
El Paso also hosts a lot of bike races, marathons, and festivals. Attending or participating in any of these guarantees a good time.
The Rio Grande is also close by and you can go there to partake in whitewater rafting, fishing and canoeing.
| Metro Area Population | 840,477 |
| Average Salary | $40,460 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $837 |
| Median Home Price | $203,064 |
4. Corpus Christi
For those who love kite boarding, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing, Corpus Christi is the place for you. There are a lot of advantages of moving to Corpus Christi examples of which are good economy and low cost of living.
There is also no shortage of delicious seafood so if you love seafood allow us to say welcome to paradise.
| Metro Area Population | 428,548 |
| Average Salary | $44,540 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 |
| Median Home Price | $332,445 |
5. Dallas-Fort Worth
Another place that we will take a look at is the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Despite the fact that Dallas and Fort Worth are separated by just an hour’s drive they give very different vibes.
While Dallas is quite posh and glossy, going to Fort Worth is like taking a trip to the past as the place gives an an old school vibe with its red cobblestone roads, cowboys on horseback, and old saloons. Be sure not to miss the Texas State Fair hosted in Dallas.
| Metro Area Population | 7.3 million |
| Average Salary | $53,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,139 |
| Median Home Price | $341,464 |
6. McAllen
McAllen is located in the southern part of Texas and is a city that promises year-round sunshine and rare rainfalls. U.S News & World Report has it that as at 2020-2021, McAllen stood as the third best place one can reside in for quality of life in the U.S.
This is quite impressive and should let you know that the city is an amazing place for you to settle in. It is one of the most affordable places that one can reside in.
If you love bird-watching then you will be thrilled by the brightly colored birds in the area. Also check out the McAllen Public Library – a single floor public library that spans 123,000 square feet.
| Metro Area Population | 855,176 |
| Average Salary | $37,530 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $734 |
| Median Home Price | $219,733 |
7. San Antonio
San Antonio is a city that has a lot of history and culture. There are a lot of things that can keep you entertained in this city and they include festivals, sports and fairs. Be sure not to miss the city’s fiesta as it is usually a lot of fun.
From the art to the amazing food and wineries, what’s there not to love about San Antonio. You also get to enjoy boat rides and be thrilled by mariachi bands.
| Metro Area Population | 855,176 |
| Average Salary | $37,530 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $734 |
| Median Home Price | $219,733 |
8. Brownsville
Another city on our list is Brownsville which is situated on the southern part of Texas and shares a border with Mexico. There is no denying the strong Hispanic influence on the city. At Brownsville, you get to enjoy a lot of fun recreational activities on the water as it is close to the Gulf of Mexico.
| Metro Area Population | 855,176 |
| Average Salary | $37,530 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $734 |
| Median Home Price | $219,733 |
9. Beaumont
Located on the southeast corner of Texas is Beaumont. The city is famous for the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, a place where you can see what life was like in the early 1900s. In fact, many refer to Beaumont as the museum capital of Texas due to the fact that there are quite a number there.
For lovers of nature, you can take a walk through the Beaumont Botanical Gardens & Warren Loose Conservatory or take a hike at the Big Thicket National Preserve. If alligators fascinate you then you should definitely visit the Gator Country Adventure Park.
Also check out the antique stores on Calder Avenue. The city is 90 miles from Houston and just 25 miles from the Louisiana border.
| Metro Area Population | 395,174 |
| Average Salary | $48,830 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $857 |
| Median Home Price | $215,000 |
10. Houston
We can’t conclude on this list without mentioning Houston. The city is one of the best places to live as it has an affordable cost of living as well as a welcoming atmosphere.
The booming job market there attracts a lot of engineers, medical professionals, as well as scientist due to the energy sector, tech industries, having the famous Texas Medical center, the Aerospace and Aviation industries, and the Johnson Space Center.
There is no shortage of things to do in Houston for people of all ages as you can visit parks, museums, downtown aquarium, Houston zoo, etc. We also can’t forget to mention that the food scene in this city is so amazing featuring cuisines from across the globe.
| Metro Area Population | 6.9 million |
| Average Salary | $54,490 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,101 |
| Median Home Price | $319,339 |
Where Is the Cheapest Place in Texas?
Although we have mentioned some of the best places that you can choose to move to in Texas, you also need to be sure that you can comfortably afford living in the city you selected.
You have to be sure that the cost of living there is okay for you and a major factor to consider here is the cost of housing.
Some of the neighborhoods in Texas that are known for really affordable housing include; Heights Park, Timberbrook, Cottonwood Creek South, Shady Hollow, as well as Arapaho.
You need to find out if the cost of housing in the neighborhood that you want to move into is within your budget. It is best that while making your budget for housing, you apply the 25% rule which is that you should not buy or rent a home that requires a monthly payment that is more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay.
Why You’d Want to Reside in Texas
- Rich History and Culture
- Low State Taxes
- Friendly Neighbors
- Maximum Square-Footage for your Dollar
- Texas is the Perfect Balance of Urban & Rural Life
