Texas is known for its big landscapes, diverse cities, and friendly people, making it a popular place to move to. Texas is so huge it would take 12 hours to drive through Texas before you arrive at any other state!
Fun fact: the number of people who moved to Texas in 2022 matches the entire population of Wyoming!
People love Texas for its great weather, low cost of living, no state income tax, and many amazing cities. If you’re thinking about moving to Texas but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. We ranked the best cities and towns in Texas based on their economy, safety, cost of living, schools, amenities, and overall quality of life. Here are the ten best places to live in Texas.
10. McAllen
Highlights:
- Year-round warm weather
- Safe city
- Metro area population of 881,000
- Vibrant nightlife and live music on 17th Street
- Delicious Mexican food
- Unique natural landscapes, including salt lakes, cactus gardens, forests, bird sanctuaries, and wildlife refuges
- Good schools
- Low traffic
- Affordable median home cost ($218,000)
Drawbacks:
- Limited high-paying jobs
- Median household income of $45,000
Located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, McAllen enjoys warm weather all year and is one of the safest cities in the U.S. With a metro area population of 881,000, McAllen offers vibrant nightlife, fantastic Mexican food, and unique natural attractions like salt lakes, cactus gardens, forests, bird sanctuaries, and wildlife refuges.
In McAllen, you’ll find great schools and very little traffic. The median home cost is a very affordable $218,000. However, the local economy doesn’t provide many high-paying jobs, with a median household income of $45,000. On the bright side, South Padre Island’s beautiful beaches are just an 80-miles drive away, making it a great spot for a weekend escape.
9. Houston
Highlights:
- Most diverse U.S. city
- Two international airports
- Great nightlife
- Plenty of green spaces and parks
- Over 150 museums, plus opera, orchestra, and theater scene
- Less than an hour from the beach
- Endless Things To Do
Drawbacks:
- Traffic
- High crime rate
- Prone to natural disasters
Houston might not be the most beautiful big city in Texas, but it offers incredible diversity, job opportunities, and amenities. As the most diverse city in the U.S., Houston features a wide range of food options, high-end shopping, two international airports, great nightlife, and lots of green spaces and parks. The city also has over 150 museums and is known for its top-rated opera, orchestra, and theater. Plus, the beach is less than an hour away.
However, living in Houston has its challenges. The city is notorious for terrible traffic and a high crime rate, with violent crime being 225% higher than the national average. Houston is also prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, hailstorms, and tornadoes. Despite these issues, it is one of the most affordable major cities, with a median home cost of $273,000 and a median household income of $71,000.
8. San Marcos
Highlights:
- Fun downtown with live music and art
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Close to Hill Country with rivers, forests, meadows, canyons, bluffs, and swimming holes
- Affordable median home cost ($374,000)
- Close to Austin & San Antonio
Drawbacks:
- Limited local economy
- Need to commute for good-paying jobs
San Marcos is a charming college town that’s technically a suburb of Austin but has its own unique feel. It’s known for its lively downtown, full of live music and art, and offers a relaxed lifestyle that blends the best of both worlds. Nestled in the heart of Hill Country, San Marcos is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including rivers, forests, meadows, canyons, bluffs, and swimming holes.
With a median home cost of $374,000, San Marcos is more affordable than Austin while still being just 30 miles away. It’s also only 50 miles from San Antonio, so you can easily enjoy big city amenities when needed. However, the local economy isn’t the strongest, so many people commute to Austin or San Antonio for better job opportunities. Despite this, San Marcos is a fantastic place to live, offering a great mix of a vibrant social scene and a peaceful, nature-filled lifestyle.
7. San Antonio
Highlights:
- Historic attractions like the Alamo and Riverwalk
- Major tourist destinations such as Six Flags and SeaWorld
- Relaxed, small-town vibe with big-city amenities
- Friendly and welcoming residents
- Excellent schools
- Miles of beautiful hiking trails
Drawbacks:
- Large city limits can lead to a more spread-out feel
- Some areas might experience urban sprawl
- Traffic congestion in popular tourist areas
San Antonio is known for its rich history and major attractions like the Alamo and the bustling Riverwalk. The city blends a relaxed, small-town feel with big-city amenities, making it a unique place to live. Residents benefit from major tourist destinations such as Six Flags and SeaWorld, along with a friendly community and excellent schools. For outdoor enthusiasts, San Antonio offers miles of beautiful hiking trails. The city is also affordable, with a median home cost of $300,000.
However, San Antonio’s large city limits can make the city feel more spread out, and some areas may experience urban sprawl. Traffic congestion can be an issue, especially in popular tourist areas. Despite these drawbacks, San Antonio remains a great place to live with its mix of historical charm, modern conveniences, and affordability.
6. Corpus Christi
Highlights:
- Coastal city with small-town charm
- No traffic and friendly atmosphere
- Close to Padre Island with beautiful beaches
- Delicious seafood and a range of water activities
- Affordable median home cost ($216,000)
- Pleasant year-round temperatures
Drawbacks:
- Poor economy
- Lower median household income ($59,900)
Corpus Christi offers a delightful coastal lifestyle with the charm of a small town. The city’s lack of traffic and friendly atmosphere make it a pleasant place to live. Residents can enjoy fresh seafood and a variety of water activities, from fishing to beach bonfires. The affordable median home cost of $216,000 and pleasant year-round temperatures add to the city’s appeal.
However, Corpus Christi does face some economic challenges. The local economy isn’t particularly strong, and the median household income is relatively low at $59,900. Despite these drawbacks, Corpus Christi remains an attractive option for those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle with affordable living costs.
5. Dallas
Highlights:
- Largest metro area in Texas
- Booming economy with 22 Fortune 500 companies
- Numerous job opportunities
- Excellent schools
Drawbacks:
- Lacks a distinct soul and character
- Sprawling suburban layout
- Long distances required to access amenities
Dallas stands out as the largest metropolitan area in Texas, boasting a thriving economy supported by 22 Fortune 500 companies. The city offers a wealth of job opportunities and enjoys a high median household income of $76,000. Dallas is home to excellent schools and a wide range of amenities, including a vibrant Arts District, numerous museums, bars, restaurants, and sports venues. The cost of living is reasonable, with a median home cost of $327,000.
On the downside, Dallas can sometimes feel lacking in distinct character and soul, as it tends to have a sprawling suburban layout. Residents often need to travel long distances to reach various amenities, which can be a downside for those seeking a more walkable or compact urban experience. Despite these drawbacks, Dallas remains a dynamic city with plenty to offer for those looking for a bustling metropolitan lifestyle
4. Fort Worth
Highlights:
- Rich historic significance, including the Chisholm Trail and wild west heritage
- Diverse attractions including nightlife, dining, shopping, museums, and gardens
- Second largest zoo in the state
- Unique charm with a blend of modern amenities and historical character
- Safer than some other large cities
Drawbacks:
- More suburban feel compared to Dallas
- Limited public transportation options
- May not have as many high-profile cultural institutions as larger cities
Fort Worth stands out for its deep historic roots and unique charm. As the last stop on the Chisholm Trail and a hub of wild west heritage, Fort Worth offers a distinctive experience with attractions like the Stockyards district, where you can witness the world’s only daily cattle drive. The city is also known for its diverse range of activities, from vibrant nightlife and excellent dining to museums and beautiful gardens. The highly rated zoo and a lower median home cost of $325,000 further add to the city’s appeal.
However, Fort Worth has a more suburban feel compared to its neighbor Dallas and might not offer as many high-profile cultural institutions. Public transportation options can be limited, which might make it less convenient for those who rely on it. Despite these drawbacks, Fort Worth’s blend of historical character, safety, and affordability makes it a compelling choice for many.
3. El Paso
Highlights:
- Unique blend of Mexican and American cultures
- Located on mountain time, closer to San Diego than Houston
- Part of a large bilingual, bi-national workforce with a strong connection to Juarez
- Rich cultural identity with historic sites and lively markets
- Renowned for its exceptional Mexican food and coffee
- One of the safest U.S. cities
Drawbacks:
- Perception of being dangerous due to its location on the border (though it’s actually safe)
- Relatively lower economic opportunities compared to larger Texan cities
El Paso offers a unique blend of Mexican and American cultures, making it stand out. Its location on mountain time and closeness to San Diego add to its distinctive charm. As part of a large bilingual and bi-national workforce, El Paso has a strong connection with Juarez, which enriches its cultural scene. The city is famous for its amazing Mexican food and coffee and is considered one of the safest large cities in the U.S. With 302 sunny days a year and beautiful natural surroundings, it’s also very affordable, with a median home value of $208,000.
However, El Paso’s location on the border can lead to misconceptions about its safety, even though it is actually a very safe city. Additionally, it may have fewer job opportunities compared to larger Texas cities.
2. Plano
Highlights:
- One of the safest cities in Texas
- Nationally renowned schools
- Strong job market with major companies like Capital One, Toyota, and PepsiCo
- High median household income ($100,000+)
- Close proximity to Dallas for additional amenities
Drawbacks:
- High median home cost ($524,000)
- Limited nightlife compared to larger cities
- Can be less vibrant in terms of cultural activities
Plano stands out as one of Texas’s safest cities with excellent schools and a strong job market. It offers a range of dining and recreational options, including popular spots like Legacy Hall and the Boardwalk at Granite Park. The city is home to major employers such as Capital One, Toyota, and PepsiCo, contributing to a high median household income of over $100,000. Its proximity to Dallas provides access to additional amenities.
However, the cost of living can be high, with a median home cost of $524,000. Plano also has a more subdued nightlife compared to larger cities and might lack some of the vibrant cultural activities found in more urban areas.
1. Austin
Highlights:
- Booming economy with a low unemployment rate (2.6%)
- High median household income ($87,000)
- Thriving tech scene with many large companies moving to the area
- Renowned food truck and beer scene
- Abundant live music and art
- Stunning surrounding Hill Country
- May be considered the best city in Texas and possibly the nation
Drawbacks:
- High median home cost ($619,000)
- Traffic congestion, particularly on Interstate 35
- Increasing cost of living
Austin, the capital of Texas, is celebrated for its booming economy, particularly within the tech industry, and boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6%. The city has a high median household income of $87,000 and continues to attract large companies. Austin is known for its vibrant food truck and beer scene, as well as its live music and arts culture. The stunning Hill Country surrounding the city adds to its appeal, making it a top contender for the best city in Texas and potentially the nation.
The primary drawbacks are its high median home cost of $619,000 and significant traffic congestion, especially on Interstate 35. As Austin grows, the cost of living is also increasing, which may be a concern for some residents.