12 Best Places to Live in Texas in 2024

With a GDP of just under $1.8 trillion, Texas has established itself as the world’s 9th largest economy and the second-richest state in the US by GDP, just after California. Over the past years, giants such as CBRE, Tesla, HP, Oracle, and Amazon have made Texas the center of their US operations, creating endless and exclusive job opportunities.

But the state’s thriving economy isn’t the only aspect that makes Texas a great state to relocate to in 2024

• Texas’s median household income is $68,093.
• The state’s tax laws attract entrepreneurs and businesses.
• Texas’ southern culture is friendly and laid-back.
• Texas offers endless opportunities for outdoor living and an active lifestyle, but it also has thriving urban areas.

Texas is a huge state, and its economy is growing at an impressive speed. If you are looking to relocate here, check out this list of the best places to live in Texas in 2023.

12 Best Cities in Texas To Relocate To in 2024

Each location in Texas offers unique benefits and characteristics. If you are finding it difficult to identify the best cities to live in Texas, consider the factors below:

• Cost of living
• House and rent prices
• Safety and crime rates
• Schools and education options
• Career opportunities
• Transportation and commute data
• Culture and entertainment

Whether you are looking to open a small business, take your career to the next level, or find the right location to grow your family, any of the nice places to live in Texas will do. Let’s see what they are:

Austin

As the capital of the Lone Star State, Austin is Texas’s social heart. The metropolis is home to just under one million people, a number that has grown by over 20% in the last decade.

This fast growth makes Austin the thriving and diverse ecosystem it is today. Within the state, Austin is considered the center for social change, political movements, and sustainable development.

When not promoting positive change or pursuing prestigious careers, Austin residents can be seen enjoying the lush vegetation of the many city parks that earned the city the 45th spot in the greenest US urban areas by ParkScore.

Here you’ll never be short of opportunities for enjoying live music, diverse food options, and plenty of entertainment.

Houston

With a population of 2.3 million people (and growing), Houston is the largest city in Texas and the 4th largest in the US. Just like in many other global metropolises, Houston residents have to deal with above-average crime rates and low median household income ($52,338, against a national average of $67,521).

And yet, Houston still ranks high as one of the best places to move in Texas! In particular, the Houston metro area attracts entrepreneurs and skilled professionals looking for their next career move.

Indeed, Houston is home to a third of all the jobs in the gas and oil industry in the US and numerous corporate headquarters. It’s a great place to move to for young and seasoned professionals alike.

Dallas and Fort Worth

With a joint population of 7.5 million people, Dallas and Fort Worth are two of the biggest cities in Texas, and the place where most Texas banks have their headquarters. Because they’re so close together, the two are often considered a single place. However, the cities are very different:

• Dallas is the epicenter of the Southern culture that permeates Texas. As any proud resident will tell you, the city is dotted with beautiful parks. However, Dallas is also the economic hub of the state and offers a taste of metropolitan life.
• Fort Worth, Dallas’s neighboring twin, has much lower crime rates and cost of living. The atmosphere in this part of town is also more laid-back.

Thanks to the two cities’ diverse nature and thriving economic landscape, relocating to either end is an excellent alternative for families with kids, young talents, experienced professionals, and couples.

Some of the best places to live in Texas can be found in the cluster of cities and towns that compose the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These include:

Denton

The home of the University of North Texas, Denton is a fast-growing suburban city with a thriving music community. Don’t miss out on the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival!

Garland

Named after the signature “Firewheel” flower that blooms here in spring and summer, Garland is a peaceful community nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is best known for its parks and natural beauty.

Frisco City

Frisco is a prestigious suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. The town is located a stone’s throw from all the downtown amenities and the natural beauty of the nearby Lewisville Lake. The median household income is $127,133 - far higher than the US average.

McKinney

The safe city of McKinney is located on the north-eastern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The median income here is just under $90,000, although the median housing price is also fairly high -  over $281,000.

Still, McKinney is the perfect compromise for those who want to avoid the hectic lifestyle of downtown Dallas without missing out on the comfort and perks of a big city.

Plano

If you are seeking the perfect balance between skyscrapers and green areas, Plano is one of the best places to live in Texas. Thanks to the city’s system of parks and trails, over three-quarters of its residents live a 10-minute walk from a natural area.

Alongside the multitude of green spaces, the city is perfect for families, thanks to its low crime rate, high affordability, and accessibility of restaurants, museums, theaters, and bars.

Irving

Irving is one of the best-known suburbs of Dallas and Fort Worth. The median household income is nearly $70,000, and the housing options are pretty affordable.

Irving is particularly attractive for young professionals, because the suburb is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Kimberly-Clark and Fluor Corporation. Of course, there are also exceptional entertainment options for after-work relaxation.

Arlington

Nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is a prosperous suburb dotted with parks, museums, restaurants, shopping malls, gyms, and bars. The median house price is relatively low in Arlington, making the city a valid Texas option for young people and families.

Corpus Christi

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and tucked into a peaceful bay, Corpus Christi offers a much different lifestyle than other large Texan cities.

With a population of 325,780, Corpus Christi is ideal for young professionals, digital nomads, and retirees looking for a laid-back, relaxed life without compromising on entertainment opportunities.

In terms of quality of life, Corpus Christi offers a complex park system, plenty of opportunities for dining out and listening to live music, and unparalleled housing affordability.

Georgetown

Located around 25 miles north of Austin, Georgetown is not one of the best-known places in Texas - but this doesn’t negate its beauty, high quality of life, and career opportunities.

Today, the town is home to just over 71,000 inhabitants, but it has been ranked to be the second fastest-growing city in Texas and the 7th one in the US.

According to the US Census Bureau, Georgetown’s median household income is just over $73,800 - well above the US average. Additionally, the short commuting times, affordable housing options, and extremely low crime rates place Georgetown among the best cities in Texas to raise a family.

Round Rock

If you are looking to benefit from all the comforts that a city like Austin can offer, but enjoy peace and quiet, Round Rock may be the best city in Texas to live in.

The center of Austin is reachable with a short 20-minute drive from Round Rock, and in just a few minutes, you can reach hidden natural beauties, such as the Hamilton Greenbelt and Colorado River.

Similar to nearby Georgetown, Round Rock is a fast-growing urban area with an above-average median household income of around $80,600.

El Paso

El Paso is a city like no other: While technically located in Texas, the city overlooks the Mexican border and shares suburbs with the neighboring city of Ciudad Juarez.

Unlike other towns in the panhandle part of Texas, or the state’s southern and eastern regions, El Paso is permeated by Hispanic culture, tradition, art, and food influences.

If you are looking for the best part of Texas to live in, you should certainly consider El Paso. The city is one of the most affordable in the country. While its median household income is low - i.e., $45,600 - the town is gaining attention from entrepreneurs and international businesses.

This caused the average house price to skyrocket from 137,000 to 177,000 in just one year - if first-time home buyers want to buy a home in Texas, now might be the time to get one in El Paso, before the prices rise further.

San Antonio

San Antonio doesn’t come to mind as readily as Dallas, Austin, or Houston when thinking about Texas cities. However, this town is the state’s cultural, historical, and touristic hub.

Thanks to the myriad things to do in and around the city, San Antonio welcomes nearly 40 million visitors each year. Additionally, no other city in the state offers such a perfect blend of the Texan and Mexican cultures, diversity, and variety of historical monuments.

If you are a foodie, don’t miss out on the famous San Antonio River Walk, lined with fine dining options and traditional cuisine eateries to watch the many riverboat parades from.

In terms of quality of life, San Antonio offers reduced commuting times (24 minutes on average), an average median household income, and plenty of job opportunities - especially in healthcare, aerospace, bioscience, and IT.

New Braunfels

Located at the heart of Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels is a prosperous, lush “oasis city” just outside San Antonio.

The city might not be as popular among tourists as San Antonio, but when the Wurstfest brings New Braunfels’ German heritage to life, the city attracts over 100,000 people.

The median household income here is just above $71,000, and it has been growing steadily over the past years, attracting younger families and professionals.

If you are looking for an up-and-coming place to soak up the beauty of Texas, look no further than New Braunfels. 

Beaumont

Beaumont is one of the Texan cities closest to the border with Louisiana. Compared to other famous locations in Texas - such as McAllen - Beaumont offers a decent median household income ($50,632) and low cost of living.

The proximity to the coast, verdant parks, and abundant career opportunities make Beaumont a good place for living in Texas.

Laredo

Located on the border with Mexico and Route 85 connecting Dallas, Austin, and Monterrey, Laredo is an important trading hub. Once the capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande, the city boasts a substantial historical heritage and rich culture.

The median household income is low, but the city is highly affordable, and offers a high quality of life.

Amarillo

Amarillo is a relatively new entry in the list of best towns to live in Texas. The city is the northernmost economic hub of Texas and thrives thanks to its diverse and rich culture. Amarillo is the perfect place to explore an always-changing food scene and make the most of an affordable lifestyle.

The city is ideal for families: Amarillo’s median household income is near the $52,750 mark, the house prices are low, and it is well-connected to one of the most prestigious universities in Texas - Texas Tech University.