What part of Texas is cheapest to rent?

For the cheapest rent in Texas, look towards cities like Killeen, Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, El Paso, Brownsville, and Laredo, with some studios starting under $800 in areas like Houston (77040) or around $837 average in El Paso/Killeen, offering much lower costs than major hubs like Austin or Dallas.

What part of Texas has the cheapest rent?

Smaller cities like Brownsville, El Paso, Galveston, Harlingen, Lewisville, McAllen, and Temple present budget-friendly options, boasting lower median home prices and rents. Each city features unique attractions and amenities, from cultural events and parks to diverse dining options, making.

Which city in Texas has the lowest cost of living?

While rankings vary slightly, Wichita Falls, Harlingen, and McAllen consistently appear as top contenders for the lowest cost of living in Texas, primarily driven by very affordable housing and utilities, with other strong options including Brownsville, Amarillo, and El Paso, all offering living expenses well below the national average. 

Where is the best small town to live in Texas?

The best small towns in Texas often blend Hill Country charm, arts scenes, or coastal vibes, with popular choices including Fredericksburg (wine, shopping), Marfa (artsy, unique), Dripping Springs (brewery hub), Port Aransas (beaches), Granbury (historic square), and Rockport (coastal beauty). For affordability, towns like Wichita Falls, Amarillo, and Abilene offer lower costs, while Flower Mound and Rockwall rank high for safety and quality of life near major cities. 

Is it cheaper to rent or own in Texas?

The true cost of renting versus owning in TX

In major cities, the average monthly rent ranges from $1,300 to $2,400. That varies by unit size and neighborhood. Owning a home includes mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance. For a mid-priced home, monthly costs often range from $2,000 to $2,800.

10 Best Places to Live in Texas: Affordable Cities & Towns You Should Consider Moving To

What salary do I need to afford $1500 rent?

How much should I make to Afford $1500 Rent? Let's say you've got your eye on a cool place that costs $1,500 a month. You want to stick to the 30% rule, so let's do the math: $1,500 / 0.30 = $5,000. That's your target monthly income.

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ten most affordable states to live in 2025:

• Arkansas. Arkansas continues to be one of the most affordable states in the U.S., especially for those looking to buy property. ...
• Mississippi. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

What is the safest small town to live in in Texas?

San Elizario

This hidden gem near El Paso is often considered the safest town in Texas thanks to its welcoming community, small-town roots, rich cultural heritage, and a crime rate well below the state average.

What is the #1 city to move to in Texas?

A new study ranks Allen, Frisco and Plano as the top three Texas cities to move to. Seven of the top 10 cities are in DFW; Leander, Sugar Land, and League City round out the statewide list. Major cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin rank low due to safety and affordability issues.

What is the prettiest county in Texas?

Located in West Texas, Jeff Davis County takes the No. 1 spot for best county in Texas. The Davis Mountains and the McDonald Observatory are located here.

Where are houses the cheapest in Texas?

The cheapest places to buy a house in Texas are generally smaller cities with lower living costs, with Wichita Falls often topping lists for its low median home prices (around $150k-$220k) and costs below the national average, followed by Brownsville, Harlingen, Amarillo, Lubbock, and El Paso, offering budget-friendly housing with unique community flavors. These areas provide a good mix of affordability, local amenities, and economic opportunities, especially for those looking outside major metropolitan areas. 

What city in Texas has no property taxes?

The City of Stafford holds the unique distinction of being the largest city in Texas to abolish city property taxes. This includes both commercial and residential properties. In addition to a lack of city property taxes, the State of Texas has no state property taxes.

What part of Texas is the best to move to?

Good places to live in Texas offer a mix of vibrant culture (Austin, San Antonio), strong economies (DFW, Houston), affordability (Amarillo, Brownsville), safety (Flower Mound, El Paso), or smaller-town feel (Mullin), catering to different priorities like outdoor life, job markets, or lower costs, with overall lower living expenses than many states. 

What town in Texas has the lowest cost of living?

While it changes, Wichita Falls and Harlingen are consistently ranked among the cheapest Texas towns, often topping lists due to very low housing costs, well below the national average for living expenses, alongside other affordable spots like Brownsville, Amarillo, and El Paso, offering budget-friendly living with good community vibes, though specific "cheapest" depends on your priorities like housing vs. groceries. 

Why is McAllen, Texas so cheap to live?

McAllen, Texas, is so affordable primarily due to its very low housing costs, driven by ample land for development, an adequate housing supply, and a slower appreciation rate than major metros, coupled with Texas's lack of state income tax, lower property taxes, and a generally lower cost for goods, services, and healthcare, making the overall cost of living significantly below state and national averages. Its location near the Mexico border also contributes, attracting shoppers and influencing market dynamics, says this article from McAllen.net. 

What city in Texas has the best weather to live in?

The "best" place in Texas for weather depends on your preference: El Paso offers dry, sunny, low-humidity desert warmth (300+ sunny days); the Hill Country (Austin/San Antonio) provides mild winters and pleasant springs with less humidity than the coast; while Fort Worth/DFW boasts comfortable, less muggy days and all four seasons. Central Texas (Hill Country) balances warmth with lower humidity, while West Texas (El Paso) is extremely dry, and the Gulf Coast has more humidity but offers coastal access. 

Is it still worth moving to Texas?

Affordable Cost of Living

Compared to coastal states like California or New York, Texas offers a significantly lower cost of living. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of living in major Texas cities such as San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston is 8-15% lower than the national average.

Where is the cheapest and safest place to retire in Texas?

For the cheapest and safest retirement in Texas, consider areas like El Paso, Wichita Falls, Amarillo, Brownsville, Killeen, and Lubbock, balancing low living costs with neighborhood safety, as some larger cities offer affordable pockets, while smaller towns like Hollywood Park, Horizon City, and Fulshear boast very low crime rates but may have different price points. The ideal spot depends on prioritizing lower housing costs (El Paso, Wichita Falls) versus very low violent crime (Horizon City, Fulshear).
 

What city in Texas has the worst crime to live in?

According to the 2023 Texas DPS Crime in Texas Report, Houston consistently records the highest number of violent crimes overall. However, when comparing per capita rates, mid-sized cities such as Lubbock and Amarillo often rank higher for aggravated assault.

What city in Texas has the best quality of life?

Best Texas Cities to Live In (2025 Rankings)

• Fort Worth – Affordable housing, diverse economy, and growing cultural scene.
• San Antonio – Historic charm, job growth, and affordable real estate compared to Austin.
• Austin – Tech hub with music, culture, and startups (but higher housing costs).

Which city has the lowest crime rate?

There isn't one single city with the absolute lowest crime rate, as it depends on population size and metrics, but Irvine, CA, Virginia Beach, VA, Gilbert, AZ, and Plano, TX, consistently rank as very safe large cities (250k+ pop), while smaller cities like Weston, FL, and mid-sized ones like Frisco, TX, often lead lists for low violent crime. Rankings vary, with studies highlighting different safe cities like San Jose, CA, or Warwick, RI, depending on whether they focus on large metro areas or overall safety including factors like natural disasters.
 

Where am I supposed to live if I can't afford rent?

Explore Government Assistance Programs

Local state and federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide housing that includes units with rents affordable to low-income tenants and vouchers that help offset rent payments at privately owned housing.

What is the happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 

Where is the cheapest rent in the US right now?

The cheapest rent in the U.S. is generally found in the Midwest and South, with West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Iowa consistently ranking as the most affordable states, while cities like Toledo (OH), Wichita (KS), Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Shreveport (LA) offer the lowest average rents, often under $900 monthly for apartments.