Best Affordable Places to Live in Texas: With its rich heritage, warm climate, picturesque landscapes, and lively entertainment scene, it’s no wonder that Texas is a popular state to live in.
Whether you’re a young professional looking for a robust job market scene, planning to relocate with family to a picturesque place with excellent schools, or dream of beachside living during your retirement years, Lone Star State won’t disappoint.
It offers a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities, features a vibrant arts and culture scene, and has no state income tax.
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What’s more?
You can find many budget-friendly places here.
Planning to move to this incredible state without breaking the bank?
Let’s help you narrow down your choices with our list of the best affordable places to live in Texas.
Dive in!
Amarillo #1
Looking for a promising job market with a host of outdoor recreational opportunities?
Amarillo may be a perfect choice.
One of them is Palo Duro Canyon State Park where you can enjoy hiking, geocaching, birding, and camping amongst others.
The city is also home to an artistic community and features attractions such as the Amarillo Museum of Arts and the Cadillac Ranch. Numerous local events add to its lively entertainment scene.
The food industry, agriculture, and urban and development projects offer many job opportunities, drawing a lot of young professionals to take up residence here.
What’s more?
The cost of living here is around 59% lower than the state average. You can also find reasonably priced housing options.
El Paso #2
Relocating with family?
El Paso offers a family-friendly atmosphere and a host of recreational activities.
From enjoying Broadway shows, learning about wildlife at the El Paso Zoo, and appreciating artworks at the El Paso Museum of Art, to soaking in some history at Magoffin Home State Historic Site, there is something here for everyone.
The city has a thriving manufacturing industry that adds to its robust job market scene. Couple that with numerous good schools.
Odessa #3
Nestled near the southwest ledge of the Llano Estacado in West Texas, this vibrant city comes with a host of unique offerings.
It has a rich cowboy culture and is home to numerous attractions such as the replica of Stonehenge, the recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the second-largest meteor crater in the country.
The city also has a vibrant arts scene with numerous art galleries, museums, and a world-class performance centre.
It is also known to be the site of the famous book and movie ‘Friday Night Lights’ and exudes a strong community vibe.
The cost of living here is around 6% lower than the state average. Couple that with affordable housing options, making it a great place for those who are just starting out.
Brownsville #4
Have you always dreamt of beachside city life?
Head to Brownsville.
It enjoys a strategic position, being located at a point where the state meets Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.
This picturesque city is known as the “The Sunset Capital of the World” and enjoys generally pleasant weather.
Apart from the trade sector and agriculture, space tech companies such as SpaceX add to its promising job market scene.
Love to have an active lifestyle?
With easy access to the Gulf of Mexico beaches, there are endless outdoor recreational activities to indulge in.
You’ll also find many excellent restaurants here along with numerous A-rated schools. Enjoying all these amenities won’t break the bank since the city’s cost of living is around 50% less than the state average.
Temple #5
Looking for access to big city amenities without the traffic and congestion?
Temple may be a perfect place.
Around a 45-minute drive away from Austin, Temple exudes a family-friendly vibe and is home to numerous beautiful parks that offer activities such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
The city features numerous historic buildings, fascinating museums, theatres, antique stores, and art galleries.
It has thriving health and life sciences industries that draw many young professionals to call this city home.
With the cost of living around 45% lower than the state average and the median house price of around $280K, it’s one of the best affordable places to live in Texas.
McAllen #6
Looking to enjoy big city amenities without skyrocketing costs?
Head to McAllen.
Situated in the southernmost region of the state near the Texas-Mexico border, McAllen is a thriving city with a host of attractive offerings.
Known as the “City of Palms” it enjoys mild winters and offers a host of outdoor recreational activities with easy access to the scenic Rio Grande Valley.
Couple that with a vibrant downtown area featuring numerous restaurants, arts and culture venues, shops, and bars. As a hub of tourism, manufacturing, and international trade, the city offers plenty of job opportunities.
It is also home to a welcoming community, and numerous highly-rated schools and has a strong Hispanic cultural influence.
Housing prices and rent are less than the national average, making it one of the most affordable places to live in Texas.
Harlingen #7
The charming city of Harlingen offers the perfect combination of a tranquil suburban vibe with access to modern amenities.
This suburb of Brownsville is known as “The Tropical Playground of Texas” and offers a plethora of outdoor recreational activities.
From birding at the World Birding Centre, and hiking at Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge, to picnicking at Lon C.
Hill Park and fishing in Lake Harlingen, there are endless outdoor recreational activities to enjoy here.
What’s more?
There are also numerous museums, performing arts venues, and excellent restaurants that add to the city’s lively entertainment scene.
With housing prices almost 30% less than the state average and the cost of living around 44% less, it is a pocket-friendly choice.
Pecos #8
Located south of the Texas-Mexico border, Pecos exudes the charm of a quintessential Texas small town.
With the Pecos river and the Chihuahuan Desert on its boundary, there is no dearth of outdoor recreational activities in this scenic town.
From soaking in history at West of the Pecos Museum to following the Pecos Boot Trail, a public art project that allows you to discover the rich heritage of the place while exploring downtown, there is something here for everyone.
The place is home to numerous museums, beautiful parks, and art galleries and is known for hosting the world’s first rodeo.
Buying a house is easier here with housing prices almost 85% lower than the state average. The cost of living is also affordable.
Wichita Falls #9
If you’re a nature lover, you’ll love it here. Located in north central Texas, Wichita Falls is a charming city with abundant green spaces.
From lounging in Lucy Park, witnessing the world’s littlest skyscraper, to enjoying a hockey match at Wildcats Hockey Stadium, fishing at Lake Kickapoo, and appreciating artworks at The Kemp Center for Arts, there is an array of activities to enjoy here.
Couple that with a healthy economy, excellent business opportunities, and low unemployment rates.
Pampa #10
Located around 55 miles northeast of Amarillo, Pampa is a vibrant city, offering a host of recreational activities.
From hiking, horseback riding, swimming in its local lakes, and playing golf to exploring museums, art galleries, and restaurants, there is no dearth of activities to enjoy here.
What’s more?
Couple that with a decent job market scene and cheap housing options. The cost of living here is around 15% lower than the state average.
So, pick the one that suits your requirements and get ready to begin the next phase of your life in this vibrant state.
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FAQs:-
Q. What part of Texas is the best to live in?
Dallas, San Antonio, and Brownsville are some of Texas’s best places to live.
Q. Where is the safest and most affordable place to live?
McAllen is one of the safest and most affordable places to live in Texas.
Q. Why is Texas the cheapest state to live in?
Some of the factors that contribute to the state’s high affordability are ample land for housing, no state income tax, and a strong economy.