Nina Out and About contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Seemy Disclosure Policyfor more information.
Table of Contents
Have you ever wondered about moving to Texas? You are not alone! Many are drawn to Texas’s beautiful national parks, vibrant cities, and mouth-watering barbeque.
But what is it really like living in Texas?
Let’s find out! Using my experience living in 18 countries and dozens of cities around the world, I will help you weigh the pros and cons of living in Texas.
Whatever your reasons for relocating, this guide will give you a clear idea of whether or not moving to Texas is right for you.
✈️Planning on moving to Texas? Check out these affordable flights and book your flight here!
1. Pro: Lower Cost of Living
In 2020, Texas experienced the highest increase in population in the US, primarily because of the low cost of living.
An increase in the popularity of remote work was also a factor. Location independence drew people from the higher cost of living areas in the US to more affordable regions.
And Texas was the #1 pick!
2. Con: Cost of Living is Increasing
Texas is affordable, but it’s not immune to the rising costs of living happening around the world. The influx of people coming to Texas has increased the demand for housing, education, healthcare, food, and other basic needs.
Texas is affordable compared to other states, but that will change if current trends continue.
3. Pro: No State Income Tax
One of the tax benefits of living in Texas is that there is no state income tax – woohoo!
You will still have federal tax to pay and other deductions, but hey, I’d take this tax benefit of living in Texas any day!
Lower taxes is one of the best reasons to live in Texas.
4. Con: Few Public Benefits
No State income tax is good for your wallet, but it also means less money to invest in public services.
This is one of the disadvantages of living in Texas, as the state has less money to invest in education, healthcare, transportation, or other public goods.
5. Pro: Affordable Housing
Compared to the West Coast, rental prices in Texas are very appealing!
In 2023 the average rental price for a one-bedroom is $755 a month, and a house rental costs $1100-$1900.
If you are looking to buy, the median price of a single-family home is $345,500.
6. Con: High Property Taxes
Buying property may be more affordable in Texas, but paying property taxes is not.
On average, counties in Texas charge 1.81% of the assessed market value in taxes every year.
Taxes are higher in the cities. If you prefer a plot of rural land, you will pay closer to 1% in property tax.
7. Pro: Strong Economy
Texas has the 9th strongest economy in the world!
Once known as a production hub, Texas is now becoming a tech center. Over 17,000 technology companies operate in Texas.
Apart from tech, most Texans are employed in agriculture, the many universities, or the oilfield.
The unemployment rate in Texas is only 4.2%.
8. Con: Expensive Health Care
Texas chose not to expand the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, leaving many Texans without affordable healthcare.
In 2023 a healthy person in their 40s will pay an average of $509 per month for basic health care.
If moving to Texas, plan for an increase in your healthcare budget, especially if your insurance might be affected by pre-existing conditions.
📌Check out Safety Wing Travel Insurance to make sure you’re protected during your time abroad!
9. Pro: Job Opportunities
Texas is a home base for large employers like oil companies & vehicle manufacturers. Thanks to the booming economy, job opportunities are plentiful!
In 2021-2022 Texas experienced the fastest job growth rate in the US.
If you are thinking of relocating to Texas and don’t already have a job, it will be easy to find one!
Looking for a job? I highly recommend this site to find your dream job in Texas. 😉
10. Con: Lower wages
The minimum wage in Texas has been $7.25 per hour since 2009. The minimum hourly wage is much lower for servers and other tipped jobs is just $2.13.
Most jobs in Texas pay minimum wage or lower, which keeps many people around the poverty line despite the lower cost of living.
👉🏻You can find available jobs on this platform!
11. Pro: Interesting Cities
Texas is home to 5 of the 15 biggest cities in the United States. These include Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Houston.
These vibrant cities are full of diverse restaurants, sporting events, theater shows, and lively nightlife. If you choose to live in one of the cities, you will never be bored!
12. Con: Traffic is Intensifying
Traffic congestion is increasing throughout Texas. Transport infrastructure and development have not kept up with the population growth, so rush hour is a nightmare.
The lack of public services like transportation also contributes to the growing traffic issues both within the cities and on intercity highways.
13. Pro: More Public Transport Soon
Since 2016, Texas Central has been working on putting in a high-speed bullet train between Dallas and Houston. This would be an incredible asset to the state, but progress has been slower than expected.
A unified transportation plan was announced for Texas in 2023 that will improve the connectivity of the state.
14. Con: Texas is Car-dependent
The big cities in Texas do not have the public transportation options you might be used to in other parts of the US. Active and public transit in the big cities could use more development.
Most Texans commute by car, so make room for purchasing and maintaining a car to your relocation budget!
🚗 Check out these affordable car rentals if you’re thinking about moving to Texas.
15. Pro: Road Trips
Owning a car in Texas has many benefits, including road trips.
Texas has more than 11,000 km (7,000 mi) of highways, hundreds of small towns, and plenty of parks to explore by car.
Big Bend National Park, the Hamilton Pool Preserve, and Boca Chica State Park are some of the most beautiful places to take a road trip in Texas.
16. Con: Traffic Accidents
Traffic accidents are common, and not just minor incidents. Texas leads the nation in deadly crashes.
In 2022, despite the number of miles driven decreasing by 10%, fatalities from traffic accidents increased by 7.5% from 2019.
The financial costs of an accident in Texas can be devastating, so be sure you are well-insured!
📌Check out Safety Wing Travel Insurance to make sure you’re protected during your time in Texas!
17. Pro: Rich Culinary Scene
I can’t talk about the pros and cons of living in Texas without mentioning good ol’ Texas Barbeque!
Brisket, ribs, burgers, anything you can put on a grill or smoke.
Almost as notable as Texas BBQ is Tex-Mex, a combination of southern food and its neighbor, Mexico! Burritos, nachos, and plenty of Mexican casseroles are common throughout Texas.
18. Con: Challenging for Food Sensitivities
Texan food tends to be meat and grain-heavy. If you have any kind of dietary restrictions, voluntary or not, it can be challenging to find a restaurant that can accommodate you.
The bigger cities have more selection, but explaining the importance of avoiding gluten cross-contamination or choosing a vegan lifestyle is challenging.
19. Pro: Mild Texan Winters
As a Canadian who has spent many winters in sub-zero temperatures, a warm and sunny winter is one of the most enticing aspects of living in Texas.
The average winter temperature is 20°C (65°F) during the day but can dip as low as -7°C (19°F).
Yes, it can snow in Texas, but the average snowfall is only 0.1 inches per year
20. Con: Texan Summers
In contrast to the mild winters, Texas has extreme summers.
August is the hottest month, with temperatures averaging 35°C (94°F) but can reach as high as 41°C (105°F).
It’s so hot that seasonal flights from Texas to Mexico dramatically increase in summer so that Texans can escape the intense summer heat.
Yup, Texans go to Mexico because it’s cooler than Texas in the summer!
21. Pro: Outdoor Adventurer’s Dream
Texas is home to an incredible 80 state parks and 16 national parks. This preserved land iis full of lakes, mountains, hiking trails, canyons, and some of the best star-gazing in the US!
An annual state park pass costs $70 per person. This pass gives you access to 89 parks, discounted camping, and store coupons!
22. Con: Extreme Weather
You have probably heard the phrase, “everything is bigger in Texas.” When it comes to weather events, this saying is especially true!
Texas experiences almost every kind of extreme weather, including wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms.
Add preparing for weather events to your moving to Texas checklist. It’s not uncommon to be without power or water for extended periods after storms!
23. Pro: Great Universities
Public education may not be well funded, but there are excellent universities in Texas like:
- The University of Texas
- Rice University
- Texas A&M
- Baylor University
Texas’s universities & colleges welcome over 1.6 million students every year and represent a big part of the state’s economy.
24. Con: Bad Internet
The sheer size of Texas affects the availability of internet access within the state. 43% of the population does not have internet speeds over 25mbps.
You won’t notice this issue in the cities, but it can be a problem in rural areas.
If you want to move to the countryside to work or study online, don’t forget to check if it’s in a high-speed service area.
25. Pro: Sports
Texas is a sports-lovers paradise! Whether you are into big national teams or college leagues, there are options for viewing live sporting events for teams like:
- Texas Rangers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Austin FC
- Dallas Mavericks
No sport is excluded; Texas has a stadium and an active fanbase for soccer, American football, ice hockey, baseball, basketball, rodeos, and more.
26. Con: Higher Sales Tax
Taxes fall on both sides of the pros and cons of living in Texas. There may be no state income tax, but Texas has a high sales tax rate of 6.25%.
And that’s just the state tax. Cities and counties in Texas can also add sales tax of up to 2%.
27. Pro: Festivals and Fairs
Texas is home to home to globally renowned music and cultural festivals like:
- Austin City Limits
- South x Southwest
- Texas State Fair
- Renaissance Festival
- Strawberry Festival
And those are just the big ones! The rest of Texas is home to hundreds of other fairs, music festivals, cook-offs, and cultural celebrations.
28. Con: Higher than Average Violent Crime rate
Texas is ranked the 11th most dangerous state in the USA and experiences the highest rate of murder.
A significant factor in the high crime rate is the high poverty rate, which is currently 9th highest in the nation.
There are definitely safe areas to live in Texas, but be sure to do your research when choosing where to live.
29. Pro: Diversity is Improving
A beautiful side effect of the influx of people to Texas has increased diversity. New residents have brought different cuisines, cultures, activities, and worldviews to Texas.
This cultural shift is enhancing Texas’s food scene, activities, and festivals and helping to make Texas a warm and welcoming place for other newcomers!
30. Con: Divisive Politics
You may be accustomed to seeing Texas politics in the news.
Texas politics see a stark contrast of opinion between the cities and small rural towns. The recent increase in immigration to Texas has also affected the state’s politics and led to some political conflict.
31. Pro: Fewer Government Regulations
Another reason many people love Texas is the lower government involvement, particularly in business.
If you are hoping to be an entrepreneur, you might have great success in Texas, thanks to the lack of red tape and hoops you have to jump through to start building a business!
32. Con: Not Everyone is Welcoming
Most people in Texas welcome newcomers, especially transplants from other parts of the States.
However, you will always find those who are unhappy about the influx of new residents. Some Texans blame newcomers for the rising costs of living and political conflict.
33. Pro: Great Travel Access
Texas offers a portal to the rest of the world – there are more than 740 airports! Of those, 12 are international airports, and the Dallas-Fort Worth airport is the 2nd biggest in the US.
East Texas borders the Gulf of Mexico, making ocean activities like cruises easily accessible to travelers.
Wrap-up: the Pros and Cons of Living in Texas
Living in Texas can be very fulfilling. The many cultural events and outdoor activities available will keep you active and engaged in the community.
If you can endure the heat of the summers and the odd traffic jam, living in Texas might be right for you!
Whether you are relocating for work, looking for a fresh start, or somewhere to settle down and raise a family, Texas offers a new adventure for anyone willing to make the move.
✈️Planning on moving to Texas? Book your flight here to save money!
Living in the USA Guides
- Pros and Cons of Living in North Carolina
- Pros and Cons of Living in South Carolina
- Pros and Cons of Living in California
- Pros and Cons of Living in Washington State
- Pros and Cons of Living in Montana
- Pros and Cons of Living in Chicago
- Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas
- Pros and Cons of Living in New Orleans
- Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles
- Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas
- Pros and Cons of Living in Iowa
- Pros and Cons of Living in Vermont
- Pros and Cons of Living in Seattle
- Pros and Cons of Living in Maine
- Pros and Cons of Living in Phoenix, Arizona
- Pros and Cons of Living in the USA
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado
- Pros and Cons of Living in Texas
- Pros and Cons of Living in Alaska
- Best Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon
- Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado Springs
- Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville
- Pros and Cons of Living in Florida
- Living in Toronto vs. Chicago: Which is the Better City?
- Living in Puerto Rico Pros and Cons: Should You Move to PR?
- Pros and Cons of Living in Georgia, USA: Is Georgia a Good Place to Live?
- Pros and Cons of Living in Hawaii
- Pros And Cons Of Living In New York City
- Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100%YES!— With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommendSkyscanner. (Read more)
🏨What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommendBooking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommendDiscover Cars.
🚗What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommendViator.
