18 Pros and Cons of Living in Texas

Texas has long promised big space, big savings, and big personality. It’s a state where you can buy a four-bedroom home for the price of a closet in New York—and still have money left for brisket. From booming job markets to BBQ joints and wide-open highways, Texas sells freedom and opportunity by the acre.

But it’s not all cowboy boots and cash flow. Scorching summers, limited public transit, and property taxes that pack a punch are all part of the trade-off. So, is life in the Lone Star State right for you? We’re breaking down the key pros and cons, from housing affordability to cultural perks, to help you figure out if Texas is your next move or just your next vacation.

Methodology: We used internal Apartment List data and cross-referenced it with housing trends from Rent.com and Apartments.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of Texas living as of September 2025. Crime insights are sourced from CrimeGrade.org and Weichert.

Key Insights

• Housing costs: As of September 2025, average rent in Texas is about $1,258/month for one‑bedroom units and $1,562/month for two‑bedrooms. That’s well below many high‑cost states, though prices vary widely by metro area.
• Jobs: Texas’ unemployment rate is approximately 4.0–4.2% as of mid‑2025, while the state has added around 187,000 jobs year‑over‑year, reflecting steady labor market expansion.
• Housing Affordability: To afford a modest two‑bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent (~$1,372/month), Texans need to earn almost $30/hour, far above the state minimum wage. Many renter households spend more than 30% of income on housing.
• Population & Labor Force Size: Texas’s civilian labor force is breaking records, with over 15.8 million people. The state is also adding hundreds of thousands of new jobs year over year. This signals strong opportunity, especially in sectors like health, education, business services, and trade.

Quick Facts About Texas

1. Pro - Famously Friendly Locals

If you live in East Texas, West Texas, or even in smaller metros like Waco or Lubbock, you’ll find people opening doors, saying “How’re you doing?” with a real neighborly vibe. Even in big cities like Houston and Dallas, many locals carry that small‑town politeness. It’s common for strangers to help when you’re lost, coworkers to bring snacks, and for the community to pull together after events like floods or storms.

2. Con - You Need a Car

Public transit outside a few areas (like parts of Houston, Dallas, or the MetroRail in DFW) is limited. In suburbs (e.g. Plano, Katy, Round Rock), commuting without a vehicle is difficult. Bus service and light rail exist, but schedules are less frequent and routes are less flexible the further you get from the city.

3. Pro - Year-Round Sunshine

Texas delivers long, sunny seasons. In cities like El Paso, you can expect to see around 300 sunny days a year. Winters are mild: Austin summers are scorching, but winters dip only into the 40‑50°F range. It means more time outdoors, more grilling, more hiking, and more life lived outside.

4. Con - Summer Heat

If you think sunny weather is great, Texas summers turn up the heat. In Dallas, Houston, and especially in inland areas like San Angelo or Del Rio, temperatures routinely top 100‑105°F. Add humidity in the east, and it’s a sauna. Air conditioning is essential, and your energy bills will reflect that.

5. Pro - No State Income Tax

A big financial win: Texas does not tax individual income. That means what you earn is what you pocket. It’s one reason why people with high salaries or multiple income streams often move here.

6. Con - Less-than-desirable Healthcare System

In rural areas like West Texas and parts of South Texas, access to quality hospitals or specialists can be limited. Some counties have long travel distances to trauma centers or advanced care. Even in cities, certain hospital systems are overwhelmed, and there are physician shortages in specialties.

7. Pro - Booming Job Market

From oil & gas to tech, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, Texas has been adding jobs steadily. Dallas‑Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin are hubs for tech startups, energy firms, and medical device companies. Texas’s GDP is among the highest in the U.S., with over 50 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state.

8. Con - High Property Taxes

With no state income tax, local governments lean heavily on property taxes. In Texas, the average property tax rate is around 1.47% of a home's assessed value. That can add substantial costs for homeowners, and these expenses can ripple into rents.

9. Pro - Affordable Cost of Living

Outside of premium neighborhoods in Austin or Houston, housing is relatively affordable. The average home in Texas goes for $304,005.

You can buy or rent much more square footage for less money than in comparable metros in California or the Northeast. Cities like San Antonio, Corpus Christi, or parts of the Dallas suburbs offer large homes or yard space at prices that feel almost luxurious compared to coastal alternatives.

10. Con - Weariness of Transplants

In fast‑growing cities like Austin, Dallas, or Houston, there's a new brewing tension: long‑time locals sometimes view newcomers skeptically. Rapid growth stresses infrastructure, housing, and cultural norms. Traffic gets worse, housing climbs, and sometimes the pace or cost undercuts the “authentic” feel that locals cherish.

11. Pro - Diversity

Texas is deeply diverse: culturally, ethnically, and economically. In fact, Houston is the second-most diverse city in the United States. San Antonio has deep Hispanic roots, Dallas is a corporate and international hub, and El Paso has strong Mexican heritage. That creates food, culture, festivals, and perspectives that draw people in from all over the world.

12. Con - Bugs

Living along the Gulf Coast or in humid East Texas means mosquitoes, fire ants, palmetto bugs, and regular critters. In Houston, especially after heavy rains or flooding, mosquitoes can swarm. For someone used to dry climates, you’ll have to keep screens, repellents, and pest control in mind.

13. Pro - State Pride

Texans love their state, and it shows, from flags on porches to pride in local culture (like Texas country music, rodeos, high school football). That pride tends to unify people across politics or backgrounds. It gives many Texans a strong sense of identity and place.

14. Con - Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

Coastal zones like Galveston, Corpus Christi, Houston, and the Upper Gulf Coast are vulnerable. Hurricanes like Harvey (2017) and more recently storms causing flooding in southeast Texas remind us that storms can do major damage, and insurance costs and flood risk are very real when living near the coast.

15. Pro - World-Famous Barbecue

This isn’t a stereotype—it’s serious craftsmanship. Central Texas (Lockhart, Austin), East Texas, and the Hill Country are BBQ meccas. Brisket, ribs, sausage smoked with oak or pecan: people come from far and wide for spots like Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Kreuz Market in Lockhart, or Louie Mueller in Taylor.

16. Con - Relatively Low Public School Ratings

While many schools are great, Texas has a wide spread. According to the 2025 TEA (Texas Education Agency) A‑F ratings, 85% of campuses are A‑C, but about 14% of campuses still get D or F grades. That means a nontrivial chance that your neighborhood school could be underperforming. Texas also ranks 40th in education in the nation.

17. Pro - Professional Sports

Love sports? Texas has it. The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and MLS teams like Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas. Big venues, intense fans, and year‑round energy: whether it’s NFL, MLB, NBA, or college football, the sports culture is baked in.

18. Con - Power Grid Failures

During extreme weather, some Texas areas face rolling blackouts or power strain. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) has been under scrutiny after outages during the 2021 winter storm and summer heat spikes. In areas with older infrastructure, power can be unreliable under stress.

Is Texas a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Texas can be a great place to live if what you care about lines up with what Texas offers. You’re getting more space for your money, lower taxes (no state income tax, remember?), and strong job markets in places like Austin, Dallas‑Fort Worth, and Houston. Outdoor lifestyle is a plus: big skies, BBQ, football, rodeos, and more room to breathe.

Renters can target sleek new apartments in downtown Austin, more affordable suburban options in places like Plano or Katy, or quieter towns like Buda or San Marcos.

Still, there are trade‑offs: summers are scorching hot, car dependency is necessary in the urban and suburban sprawl, and some metros face infrastructure growing pains. If you value affordability, job opportunities, and a bigger slice of land, Texas could very well be the place.

What’s It Like Living in Texas?

The thing about Texas is that each city has its own rhythm. The state stretches wide, so your lifestyle can shift as easily as the scenery, from high-rise city life to peace and serenity in Hill Country.

Each city brings its own vibe:

• Austin brings live music, lakeside living, and a booming tech scene, with just enough weird left to keep things interesting.
• Dallas–Fort Worth offers modern suburbs, sleek corporate hubs, and a growing arts district that rivals major metros.
• Houston is a cultural powerhouse with NASA, world-class hospitals, and one of the most diverse food scenes in the country.
• San Antonio is affordable and has a deep history. You can walk the River Walk one day and hit up a Spurs game the next.
• El Paso feels like a world of its own, with desert beauty, military roots, and deep border-town culture.
• Lubbock, Tyler, and Waco appeal to renters seeking more space, lower costs, and a slower pace, without losing job access.

Sure, the summers are brutal, and you’ll probably need a car. But for renters looking for room to grow, Texas delivers serious value without skimping on lifestyle.

What’s the Culture Like in Texas?

Texas culture is equal parts brisket smoke and business pitches, rodeo nights and startup grind, Friday night lights and Tejano beats. It’s loud, proud, welcoming, and wildly varied, shaped by deep roots, unique ideas, and a state that never does anything halfway.

Yes, you’ve got the big icons: the Alamo in San Antonio, the State Fair in Dallas, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the live music pulse of Austin’s Sixth Street. But culture here is more than cowboy hats and college football. It’s catching a Selena tribute concert at Fiesta San Antonio, watching a muralist work in real time in Deep Ellum, or grabbing smoked turkey and a Topo Chico at a picnic table behind a gas station in Lockhart.

Texas food is culture with a capital C. You’ll find Vietnamese crawfish boils in Houston’s Midtown, handmade tortillas in McAllen, and brisket tacos topped with queso fresco in East Austin. Barbecue joints like Snow’s and Truth BBQ have waitlists for a reason, and taquerias, kolache bakeries, and soul food diners keep locals loyal.

Sports are religion here. Whether it’s Cowboys Sundays, high school football under the lights in Odessa, or packed stadiums for the Astros, Spurs, or Mavericks, Texans show up loud. The vibe is just as electric at UT game days in Austin or at an HBCU band showdown in Prairie View.

Festivals span everything from SXSW and ACL in Austin to Juneteenth parades in Galveston and Día de los Muertos celebrations in San Antonio’s West Side. Even smaller towns like Marfa and Denton punch above their weight with thriving art, music, and maker scenes. Creativity isn’t a trend in Texas. It’s stitched into the identity.

From cowboy poetry in Alpine to Bollywood dance parties in Irving, from two-stepping in Fort Worth’s Stockyards to skate crews in Corpus Christi, Texas culture isn’t one thing. It’s a living mixtape, shaped by the people who show up, speak up, and make it home.

What’s the Cost of Living in Texas?

Texas is noticeably more affordable than many states. Its cost of living score is 94.2, meaning living in Texas overall is about 5.8% cheaper than the U.S. average. That estimate takes into account housing, groceries, transportation, health care, taxes, and other essentials.

How Is the Job Market in Texas?

Texas is seeing steady job growth across many sectors, though performance varies by metro and industry. As of July 2025, the statewide unemployment rate was about 4.0%, with over 15.85 million people in the civilian labor force. Texas has added roughly 232,500 nonfarm jobs over the past year, outpacing the national job‑growth rate.

In Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, nonfarm employment has held relatively flat year‑over‑year. Although overall employment growth is modest there, strong gains have come from Private Education & Health Services, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Professional & Business Services.

Meanwhile, metros like Austin‑Round Rock‑San Marcos are generating lower unemployment (around 3.5%) and high growth in tech, project development, and education sectors. Industries like Information and Professional Services are showing expansion.

Smaller Texas metro areas also show divergent trends: Midland has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state (around 3.0%) thanks to energy and oil services; by contrast, regions like McAllen‑Edinburg‑Mission still have higher unemployment (~6–7% in some recent reports).

How Safe Is Texas?

Texas averages a D+ safety grade from CrimeGrade.org, placing it in about the 29th percentile for safety among U.S. states, meaning it’s safer than only ~29% of states but less safe than ~71%. The typical yearly crime rate is ~37.68 per 1,000 residents.

Here’s how some major and mid‑size cities compare:

• Houston gets a D‑grade: its crime rate is ~37.88 per 1,000 residents, safer than ~20% of U.S. cities but less safe than 80%.
• Dallas gets a D+ grade for its violent crime, ranking in the 30th percentile. The rate is about 4.040 violent incidents per 1,000 residents/year.
• Austin lands somewhat better with a C‑ grade, putting it in the 38th percentile, so Austin is safer than roughly 38% of cities, though still less safe than ~62%. Its overall crime rate is ~28.43 per 1,000.

Overall, safety in Texas is not uniform. Neighborhoods, blocks, and city sectors matter a lot. For example, you might feel relatively safe in northwest Houston, safer suburbs of Dallas or Austin, or smaller towns, while central urban districts face higher risks for property and violent crime.

If you’re considering moving here, it’s smart to drill down to city‑data.

What Are Schools Like in Texas?

Texas schools run the full spectrum, from elite private high schools to top public research universities, and everything in between. Where you live often determines how good your school options are. Suburbs around Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio tend to have more rigor, more resources, and stronger reputations. Rural areas can lag in teacher availability, extracurriculars, or specialty programs, but there are standout schools everywhere.

| UT San Antonio <br> | Public University | Recently merged with UT Health San Antonio; now one of the largest public research universities in Texas, more than 40,000 students, ~$486 million in annual research spending. |

Is Texas a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Texas has many winning family‑friendly towns. Here are the top spots you should know—with what makes them stand out:

Top Family-Friendly Cities & Neighborhoods

• Cinco Ranch (Houston Suburb) — Ranked #1 on Niche’s 2025 Best Places to Raise a Family in Texas. Praised for its A+ public schools, low crime, and well‑planned neighborhoods built with families in mind.
• Coppell (Dallas Area) — Near Dallas‑Fort Worth, Coppell offers highly rated schools, strong safety records, and close proximity to urban amenities without sacrificing a suburban feel.
• The Woodlands (Houston Area) — Known for natural spaces, scenic bike trails, lakes, and an entertainment scene that works for both kids and adults. Also, consistently high school performance and family‑friendly amenities.
• Plano (DFW Suburb) — Plano boasts low violent crime, strong graduation rates, and many schools rated 7 or higher out of 10. It’s considered one of the safest big suburban areas in Texas.
• Flower Mound (Dallas‑Ft Worth Metro) — Featured among top places for safety, outdoor activities, and schools. Residents praise its mix of green space and developed infrastructure.
• Sugar Land (Houston Surrounding Area) — Strong in cost of living, healthcare, and quality schools. Livability rankings place Sugar Land among national top tier for small‑to‑mid‑sized cities.

What Are Some Popular Places to Live in Texas?

Here’s how some frequently mentioned Texas cities stack up in average rents (one‑bedroom and two‑bedroom).

Is Living in Texas Right for You?

Texas could be a great fit if you're after warm weather, wide-open spaces, and a strong economy with no state income tax. From tech gigs in Austin to oil and energy roles in Midland, from ranch life to city skylines, this state gives you room to grow, literally and figuratively.

Whether you're eyeing a high-rise in Dallas, a family home in Round Rock, or a rental near the beach in Corpus Christi, there's a corner of Texas to match your lifestyle. Just be ready for the heat, car-dependence, and the occasional grid glitch or storm season.

Still wondering if Texas checks all your boxes? Explore our Renter Life guides to compare cities or take the Apartment List quiz to find your best rental match.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Texas

What are the downsides of living in Texas?

Some of the biggest challenges in Texas include

• Hot, humid summers (Houston, San Antonio, and the Gulf Coast regularly see temps above 100°F).
• Extreme weather, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flash floods poses real risks depending on where you live.
• Property taxes are high, with effective rates often around 1.6–1.8%, which can eat into what otherwise seems like an affordable housing deal.
• Access to healthcare is uneven: many rural counties lack specialists, and about 17.4% of Texans are uninsured, nearly double the national average.

Why are people moving to Texas?

Texas attracts folks for its lower cost of living compared to coastal states, no state income tax, and growing job markets, especially in tech (Austin), energy (Houston), healthcare, and logistics. There's also cultural appeal: a vibrant music scene, strong local food cultures, big outdoor space, and communities that tend to be welcoming. The affordability of housing in many suburbs or smaller cities relative to national averages is a major draw.

What are the biggest risks of living in Texas?

Environmental risks top the list: coastal areas face hurricanes and flooding; central and north Texas get hit by tornadoes; heat and drought are growing problems. Then there are infrastructure risks. Power grid reliability, for example, has been spotty during extreme weather. Healthcare gaps, especially for low‑income or rural residents, are also a serious concern.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Texas?

It depends heavily on city, family size, and lifestyle, but recent data gives good benchmarks. For example, MIT Living Wage notes that a single adult with no children needs about $45,386/year to live comfortably in many Texas metros. For a family of four, that number rises to around $102463/year to cover housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and other basics.