Texas
South · Capital: Austin · Everything's bigger — jobs, cities, and ambition, with no income tax.
Population
30.5M
Median Home
$335K
Median Rent
$1,500/mo
Avg Salary
$64,000
Income Tax
None
Cost of Living
Why people move to Texas
Texas is the nation's economic juggernaut and its leading destination for movers, powered by no state income tax, a business-friendly climate, and an economy that spans energy, tech, healthcare, and aerospace. Austin has become a tech capital, Dallas and Houston are corporate powerhouses, and the whole state is booming.
Property taxes are high to offset the lack of income tax, summers are brutally hot, and rapid growth has strained infrastructure and pushed up once-cheap housing. But the sheer scale of opportunity, along with big-city amenities at Sunbelt prices, keeps millions moving in.
Region
South
Capital
Austin
Homeownership
63%
Unemployment
4%
Top cities
Houston
Population 2.3M
Energy capital and one of America's most diverse cities.
San Antonio
Population 1.5M
Affordable, historic city with military and tourism.
Dallas
Population 1.3M
Corporate hub with a huge, diversified economy.
Austin
Population 975K
The tech capital and live-music heart of Texas.
Fort Worth
Population 956K
Fast-growing city blending cowboy culture and industry.
El Paso
Population 679K
Border city with deep binational ties.
Cost of living breakdown
Indexed to the U.S. national average (100). Texas's overall cost index is 93 — a moderate cost state.
Housing
Median Home
$335K
Median Rent
$1,500/mo
Property Tax
1.68%
Homeowners
63%
| City | Cost level | Est. rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Moderate cost | $1,500/mo |
| San Antonio | Low cost | $1,200/mo |
| Dallas | Moderate cost | $1,500/mo |
| Austin | High cost | $1,875/mo |
| Fort Worth | Moderate cost | $1,500/mo |
About 63% of residents own their homes. Effective property tax runs near 1.68% of assessed value — budget this into any purchase.
Housing assistance in Texas
Explore Texas vouchers, affordable apartments, down-payment help, rental & utility assistance, senior, veteran, and disability housing — with eligibility and how to apply.
Jobs & economy
Top industries
Major employers
- ExxonMobil
- Tesla
- AT&T
- American Airlines
Unemployment
4%
Remote-friendly
High
Illustrative salaries by sector
Schools & education
K–12 & top districts
Texas public schools serve families across urban and suburban districts. Sought-after systems cluster around its largest metros — including Houston area schools, San Antonio area schools, Dallas area schools.
Universities & colleges
- University of Texas at Austin
- Texas A&M University
- Rice University
Healthcare
Major hospitals & systems
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
Access & insurance landscape
Care access is strongest in and around Houston. Most residents use employer or marketplace (ACA) plans; rural areas can mean longer drives to specialist care, so factor network coverage into where you settle.
Transportation & getting around
Walk score
41/100
Transit
Overwhelmingly car-dependent, though Dallas runs the DART light-rail network.
I-75, I-85, and I-10 link fast-growing metros across the region. Average one-way commute is about 28 minutes; walkability scores near 41/100 statewide, higher in the largest cities.
Airports & hubs
Dallas
American Airlines global hub
Houston
United Airlines hub
Weather & natural disaster risk
Hot subtropical to semi-arid with long scorching summers and mild winters.
Taxes
State income tax
None
State sales tax
6.25%
Property tax
1.68%
No state income tax. Statewide sales tax is 6.25% (local add-ons may apply), and effective property tax averages 1.68% of home value. No state income tax makes this an attractive base for high earners and retirees.
Driver license & vehicle registration
New-resident timeline
30 days to register, 90 days for license.
Bring proof of identity, residency, and vehicle title. Expect a vision test and title transfer fees; a REAL ID upgrade needs extra documents.
Emissions testing
Required (some counties)
Typical license fee
$55–$110
Business registration & climate
LLC filing fee
$300
Corp income tax
Favorable
Startup climate
Vibrant
Best for founders
Yes
Form an LLC through the Secretary of State's online portal for around $300. Startup resources include the Austin Small Business Development Center, local SCORE chapters, and university programs at University of Texas at Austin.
Commercial space & coworking
Office and retail leasing is most active in Houston and San Antonio. Rates track the state's moderate cost profile — expect a premium downtown and value in suburban submarkets.
Vendor & pop-up events
South by Southwest
The massive music, film, and tech festival in Austin.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The world's largest rodeo and livestock exhibition.
Churches & community resources
Faith communities
Deeply religious, with large Baptist, Catholic, and evangelical communities statewide.
Getting connected
Community centers, libraries, and newcomer meetups in Houston and San Antonio are great first stops to build a network.
Diverse communities
Majority-minority state with a huge Mexican American community and diverse populations in Houston, one of the nation's most diverse cities.
The honest take on Texas
Pros
- No state income tax
- Massive, diversified job market
- Big-city amenities at lower costs
Cons
- High property taxes
- Extreme summer heat
- Hurricane and tornado exposure
Create my move plan for Texas
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