Whether you’ve just relocated because of your job or really like that everything is bigger in Texas, it’s time to learn where the top 10 places to live are in the state. You’re going to learn a lot about each of these cities, giving you more information to make the right choice.
Austin
Median Home Cost: $313,308
Metro Residents: 2,058,351
Average Salary (Annual): $53,810
As Texas’s capital city, it’s no wonder that this is the top spot to live in within the state. It ranks third on Texas’ overall ‘Best Places to Live’ list. Austin has recently emerged as a top tech hub within the United States, but it’s more affordable for major companies that don’t want to be in Silicon Valley and those who are starting new tech companies. The area’s growth rate has somewhat increased the cost of living, making it fall from the top spot on the list of best places to live for the last three years. Still, the residents here spend right over 23 percent of their household income on various living expenses.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Median Home Cost: $255,033
Metro Residents: 7,255,028
Average Salary (Annual): $52,590
Dallas-Fort Worth has a few more people living there than Houston, and this is also helped by the strong job market, higher salary averages, and the lower cost of living. Since the median cost is higher, homebuyers should expect to pay more than any other Texas city. This area ranks 32 on the best places to live for desirability compared to 150 metro areas. Most people act on the number situation and move to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This is shown in the population increase to 4.84 percent in recent years.
Houston
Median Home Cost: $224,408
Metro Residents: 6,779,104
Average Salary (Annual): $54,290
Houston is the second-largest metropolitan area in Texas, and it ranks number 27 on the list of best places to live. This is all thanks to the net migration causing rapid growth to the population, a flourishing job market, and a low living cost. Houston’s residents also make more money than people in other areas, as you can see from the average salary. Typically, Houston residents spend about 22.8 percent of their household income on their housing expenses.
San Antonio
Median Home Cost: $212,992
Metro Residents: 2,426,204
Average Salary (Annual): $46,650
San Antonio was founded in 1718 and is the fourth on the top list of places to live within Texas. People flock here because it’s got a decent job market and a low cost of living. The population of San Antonio grew by 5.34 percent between 2014 and 2018. The unemployment rate was well below the country’s national average, even though the average salary is below the country’s national average.
Killeen
Median Home Cost: $153,133
Metro Residents: 438,265
Average Salary (Annual): $43,990
Killeen is the home of the US Army military base at Fort Hood. It’s quite affordable as far as metro areas go. Residents tend to spend 22.75 percent of their household income on their living expenses. Between 2014 and 2018, Killeen about broke even when compared to people moving in and out. However, according to the Census Bureau, the population decreased by about 0.07 percent during the time.
Corpus Christi
Median Home Cost: $175,845
Metro Residents: 452,295
Average Salary (Annual): $43,960
Corpus Christi is home to a large shipping port in the nation, so, naturally, it’s seen some slight population growth because of net migration. Corpus Christi residents don’t have to commute very far to work, as most people spend 20.2 minutes getting from home to work. Therefore, it has the sixth shortest commute of the 150 most popular metro areas within the US. In fact, it’s only tied with Eugene and Brownsville, Oregon.
Beaumont
Median Home Cost: $128,215
Metro Residents: 409,693
Average Salary (Annual): $49,150
Beaumont is close to Louisiana, and it’s the 124th spot in the best places to live list. The residents here have a higher annual salary average than Brownsville and McAllen; plus, there’s a lower cost of living. Most people spend 22 percent of their income on rent, mortgage payments, and property taxes. Its population remains fairly the same for the last four years and only saw an increase of 0.14 percent.
El Paso
Median Home Cost: $146,450
Metro Residents: 841,752
Average Salary (Annual): $39,100
El Paso sits on Texas’s western edge, and it ranks 17 out of 150 populous metro areas within the United States. This is through the Well-Being Index and Gallup National Health, which primarily focuses on hometown, economic stability, and physical health. Despite all that, there is a declining population number because of low annual salary averages. Therefore, it actually sits at 130 on the list of best places to live. The population is the fifth-fastest to decline out of the 150 listings.
McAllen
Median Home Cost: $151,280
Metro Residents: 849,389
Average Salary (Annual): $36,700
While McAllen doesn’t sit on the beach, its location is on Texas’s southern border, and it sits very close to Mexico. Therefore, it’s a popular spot for retirees who want to stay in the warmth rather than the cold in winter. However, McAllen does struggle with a declining population and high unemployment rates. Even so, most residents find that it’s slightly more preferable to live here than in Brownsville.
Brownsville
Median Home Cost: $110,164
Metro Residents: 421,750
Average Salary (Annual): $35,230Brownsville sits at the Texas border’s southernmost tip, touching the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, many vacationers like to go there to enjoy South Padre Island beaches. However, it’s not the most preferred place to live in, and its population is declining. This is primarily because the average annual salary is much lower than the country’s national average. You’re going to find Brownsville at the 138th spot out of 150 on the list of best places to live within the United States.
