Texas Quality of Life | TxEDC (2024)

Live Life Bigger and Better in Texas

From wide-open spaces to breathtaking skyline views to some of the most dynamic cultural, culinary and recreational opportunities, Texas truly has it all.

“Night and day.” That’s how one CEO described the difference between Silicon Valley and his new Texas headquarters. In Texas, employers and workers alike enjoy low taxes, low housing costs and high-quality education options coupled with a vast range of recreational opportunities. That’s why Texas cities, large and small, continue to attract a diverse group of millennials, families and entrepreneurs. With plenty of cultural offerings at museums, restaurants, music venues and more across the state, we truly do have something for everyone — whether you’re looking for a rural oasis or busy city lifestyle. There’s simply no place in the world that’s quite like Texas.

Find a Better Quality of Life in Texas

You can find the best of city and country in Texas, America’s second-largest state. The geographic diversity of Texas encompasses mountains, desert, coastal beaches, and wide-open prairies. Thriving metropolitan centers like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, McAllen and El Paso each offer their own distinct character and appeal. It’s no wonder Texas is growing at a rate of 1,000 people per day!

Texas features a vibrant cultural and recreational landscape. From delicious international cuisine to exciting live music to authentic rodeos, Texas has it all.

Texas offers the best of city and country lifestyles, and each region has something unique to offer. The state is home to hundreds of barbecue restaurants, wineries, live music venues, and museums, plus more than 90 state parks, 191,000 miles of rivers and streams, 624 miles of coastline, and more than 70 working ranches. Texas is also renowned for its sporting events, with top college and professional football, basketball, baseball and hockey teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, and Texas Rangers. Professional soccer is also big in Texas. Teams include FC Dallas, Austin FC, the Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash.

Explore some of the reasons you’ll love life in Texas.

Texas by the Numbers

Those wondering why Texas is the best need only look at some of the rankings we’ve earned:

Best Places to Buy a Home – Frisco, Austin, McKinney, Denton, and Allen dominated WalletHub’s list of top six best places in America to buy a home, based on median home price appreciation, affordability, and economic environment.
Top States for Business — Texas has ranked in the top 5 states of CNBC’s “Top States for Business” list since 2007, earning the 4^th spot for 2021. The rankings listed Texas as #1 for workforce, #3 for access to capital, #5 for economy, and #10 for cost of doing business. Texas was also selected as the #1 State for Business by Chief Executive Magazine in 2021 and recognized as the #1 Exporting State for 20 consecutive years.
The Woodlands, Texas — recognized by Niche.com as the #1 Best City to Live in America, #2 Best City to Buy a House in America, #2 Best City to Raise a Family in America, #6 City with Best Public Schools in America, and #7 Best City to Retire in America. Niche also rates Plano, Richardson, and College Station among the top 25 “Best Cities in America.”

Texas Quality of Life Is Second to None

From the robust Texas workforce and education to the fact that we’re a low tax state, residents have a lot to feel good about living here in “the Friendly State.” If you’re looking to relocate to one of the states with the best quality of life, consider Texas, a place where one can truly enjoy all that life has to offer! Contact us to learn more about moving your business to Texas. Our friendly staff members are available to assist you or you can sign up for our e-newsletter to get the latest information about economic development and the Texas economy.

A Vibrant Landscape

From delicious international cuisine to exciting live music to authentic rodeos, Texas has it all.

Texas offers the best of city and country lifestyles, and each region has something unique to offer. The state is home to hundreds of barbecue restaurants, wineries, live music venues and museums, plus more than 90 state parks, 191,000 miles of rivers and streams, 624 miles of coastline and more than 70 working ranches. Texas is also renowned for its sporting events, with top college and professional teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs and Texas Rangers. Explore some of the reasons you’ll love life in Texas.

Diversity

A Diverse, Global Population

Texas is home to a welcoming, diverse group of citizens that form a larger community. The state continues to attract workers and their families from across the nation and the world.

Texas is among the most ethnically and racially diverse states in the nation. In fact, it was ranked as “the second most diverse state in the nation” overall, according to WalletHub, based on measures of racial and ethnic diversity, linguistic diversity, and industry diversity. The number of languages spoken in Texas homes has grown to more than 160, and of the more than 30 million people in Texas, greater than one-third speak a language other than English at home. Texas is one of four “minority-majority” states, where the majority of the population is of a race other than non-Hispanic white.

The vibrancy and inclusive culture of Texas is a big draw for newcomers to the state.

Texas Offers Everything for the 'Foodie'

Texas is world-renowned for barbecue and brisket, chili, and Tex-Mex dishes. It’s home to James Beard award-winning chefs and pecan pie vending machines, Dr Pepper and Shiner Bock beer, chicken-fried steak and Frito pie. Top “foodie destinations” in Texas include:

Dallas for barbecue
Austin for food trucks
Houston for burgers and brunches
El Paso for tacos
San Antonio for fine dining

Nature

Breathtaking Views

The sun shines year-round in Texas, known for its long summers and relatively mild winters. Excellent weather is conducive to taking advantage of our state’s stunningly beautiful natural landscapes, which include 191,000 miles of rivers and streams, 2,164 named mountains, 367 miles of coastline, 95 state parks, and 70 working ranches. Explore natural wonders like:

Palo Duro Canyon
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Big Bend National Forest
Davis Mountains
Padres Island National Seashore
High Island and Bolivar Flats
The Chihuahuan Desert
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Sam Houston National Forest
Lost Maples State Natural Area

Whether you’re a kayaker or horseback rider, mountain climber or beach bum, wildlife watcher or star gazer, natural abundance and tranquility awaits in Texas.

Must-See Destinations

Cultural and Historical Attractions

Tourists and locals frequent popular Texas historical and cultural attractions, such as:

The Alamo — a 1700s Franciscan mission, converted into a crucial fort during the Texas Revolution
Johnson Space Center — an interactive place to learn about space exploration and NASA missions
San Antonio River Walk — a scenic place to dine al fresco, shop, cruise the river, and sightsee
The Fort Worth Stockyards — a historic area for rodeos, country concerts, performances, and Wild West shopping
Pleasure Pier — Galveston’s beach district, full of fun, games, and amusem*nts
Houston’s Museum District — home to the Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Natural Science

Sports

Texas Champion Teams

Sports lovers can root for quality teams like the World Series-winning Houston Astros, five-time Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys, six-time NCAA Champion Texas Longhorns, or the five-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. There are Formula 1 and NASCAR races and PGA golf tournaments, too. College and professional sports add to the overall Texas quality of life ranking.

The Arts

Texas Thrives on Creativity

The Arts

The arts contribute $5.5 billion to the Texas economy, with ample music, entertainment and festivals. The creative sector employs 1 in 15 Texans — a number forecasted to increase 20% by 2024. Texas is renowned for being “The Live Music Capital of the World” in Austin, the “Square Dance Capital of the World” in McAllen, and staging music festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits.

As someone deeply acquainted with Texas, it's evident this article brilliantly captures the multifaceted allure of the Lone Star State. From its expansive landscapes to vibrant cities and rich cultural offerings, Texas is a true gem. Let's break down the key concepts and information mentioned:

Geographic Diversity:

Texas boasts diverse landscapes encompassing mountains, deserts, coastal beaches, and vast prairies.
Major metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, McAllen, and El Paso each offer unique characteristics.

Cultural and Recreational Landscape:

Texas offers a rich cultural tapestry, including international cuisine, live music scenes, rodeos, museums, and a plethora of recreational options.
The state is home to numerous barbecue joints, wineries, music venues, and museums, along with a significant amount of natural beauty, including state parks, rivers, coastline, and ranches.
Texas takes pride in its sporting events, featuring top college and professional teams across football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer.

Quality of Life Rankings:

Various accolades and rankings emphasize Texas's appeal, such as being among the best places to buy a home, top states for business, and recognition for cities like The Woodlands, Plano, Richardson, and College Station as exceptional places to live.

Diversity:

Texas stands out for its diverse population, welcoming people from various ethnicities and linguistic backgrounds. It's ranked as one of the most diverse states in the nation.

Culinary Scene:

Texas is renowned for its diverse culinary offerings, including barbecue, Tex-Mex dishes, award-winning chefs, and unique foodie destinations in cities like Dallas, Austin, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio.

Nature's Beauty:

The state's natural beauty encompasses a range of breathtaking locations, from canyons to state parks, mountains, coastline, and deserts. Notable spots include Palo Duro Canyon, Big Bend National Park, and Padre Island National Seashore.

Must-See Destinations:

Historical and cultural attractions like The Alamo, Johnson Space Center, San Antonio River Walk, Fort Worth Stockyards, Pleasure Pier in Galveston, and Houston’s Museum District are popular among tourists and locals alike.

Champion Teams and Sports:

Texas prides itself on quality sports teams across various disciplines, including baseball, football, basketball, and soccer, along with hosting Formula 1 and NASCAR races and PGA golf tournaments.

The Arts:

The creative industry contributes significantly to Texas's economy, with a thriving music scene in Austin and notable festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits.

Texas truly encompasses a lifestyle that caters to diverse preferences, whether one seeks urban excitement or serene rural living. Its blend of culture, nature, sports, and culinary delights make it an exceptional place to live and explore.