They say everything is bigger in Texas, including the prices.
There are about 30 million people who call the largest state in the continental US home.
All that space hasn’t helped housing prices.
Of course, the Lone Star State may not be as expensive to live in as some of the larger cities on either US coast, but it’s not far off.
These days, a lot of the inflation has to do with people from California moving in and driving up the local prices.
While that is a problem for many native Texans, it’s not entirely impossible to get around.
Here, we’re going to share the cheapest places in the state to call home.
Contents
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Texas
1. Amarillo
Amarillo is more than just a song by George Strait.
Far north in the panhandle, Amarillo has more people living here than any other in the region.
There’s not a whole lot going on, maybe that’s why the prices stay on the low side.
More affordability means more citizens sticking around, even though there aren’t a ton of properties to choose from.
The average purchase price for a home in Amarillo is $150,000.
As far as rent goes, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom can be picked up for around $1,000 a month.
2. Wichita Falls
Right at the border of Oklahoma is Wichita Falls.
Despite toeing the line of two states, Wichita Falls is sort of in the middle of nowhere.
There aren’t any major cities for quite a long drive away.
Don’t let that deter you, though.
The city does try to keep citizens entertained.
For example, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum can be found here.
Oh, Wichita Falls is also home to the world’s smallest skyscraper.
Want to buy?
Expect to spend at least $120,000.
There are a decent number of rentals.
A two-bedroom starts at around $900.
3. Abilene
This is another Texas city with a country song named after it.
Abilene is a smack dab in the middle of the enormous state.
There aren’t any big cities nearby, but it’s a big, little town on its own.
Around 125,000 people call Abilene home.
Many tourists from the east drive through Abilene on their way out to El Paso and Big Bend National Park.
On average, house prices are $150,000 and up.
An apartment will cost about $900.
4. San Angelo
South of Abilene by an hour and a half is San Angelo.
Once important as a Civil War army post, the town is now host to Fort Concho National Historic Landmark.
It’s also on the Concho River and has a scenic River Walk.
San Angelo gives period-piece vibes, which makes it attractive for tourists.
Apartments are $850 and up, but it might be cheaper to own.
Median house prices here are $65,000.
5. Lubbock
Nearly two hours directly south of Amarillo, Lubbock is home to a popular college football team, Texas Tech.
Recognition doesn’t stop there, however.
This was also the birthplace of rock star Buddy Holly.
If interested, there’s a whole center dedicated to his life.
Purchase prices are $160,000 on average.
Two-bedroom rentals are often priced at $1,200 per month.
6. Killeen
North of Austin, Killeen is considered central Texas.
Fort Hood is here as is the 1st Calvary Museum.
If you’re looking for civilian activities, Temple Lake Park is a hot spot for families.
Central Texas College also calls Killeen home.
Over half of the boundary is the fort, so homes are not in abundance.
What is available, as a rental, starts at $1,200.
7. El Paso
Right in the west pocket between New Mexico and Mexico is a town that was, once again, the title of a country song.
Despite the location, El Paso has well over half a million residents.
It’s the 22nd most populated US city and the 6th most populated in Texas.
Being a border town surely comes with problems from all sides, but it seems to work in El Paso’s favor.
Rent is around $1,100 monthly and house prices are $155,000.
8. Longview
A short drive from the Louisiana border, Longview is right off Interstate 20.
The closest major city is Tyler, but just a little further out in the opposite direction is Shreveport, LA.
That means you’re always close to stuff to do.
Rent for a two-bedroom starts at $1,100 a month.
9. Galveston
Just outside of one of the biggest Texas cities, Galveston is on the Gulf of Mexico.
As if being a beach town wasn’t cool enough, it’s also near plenty of dry-land things to do.
However, if being near the water is a bonus, locals enjoy Galveston Island State Park, a historic state pier, and plenty of beaches.
Let’s not forget Moody Mansion, which is a walk back into the life of a rich family a century ago.
Home and rent prices have been on the upswing.
While certainly not as bad as some towns, amenities make up for the money spent.
10. Waco
Waco is the halfway point between Dallas – Fort Worth and Austin.
This Texas stop-off may not have a country song about it, but it does have a notable event attached to it.
In the early 90s, Waco made national news with a nearly two-month-long stand-off between a dangerous cult and federal authorities.
It would be a shame to only associate the central Texas city with such a dark time.
Instead, there are plenty of things to do.
Such as the Doctor Pepper Museum, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and Waco Mammoth National Monument.
The median house price is $275,000 and the rent is $1,200.
Texas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Texas Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas a friendly place to move to?
It depends.
Are you originally Texan or have family from Texas?
If not, the reception is likely to be a tad icy.
That sentiment doubles if you’re moving to Austin.
A whole campaign exists asking visitors not to stay.
If you befriend a Texan before moving, they might tell you to say, “I got here as fast as I could,” when asked why you moved to the state.
The attitude of a Texan is unlike any other state.
It’s sort of a belief that Texas is better than anywhere else.
If you’re not from here, you don’t belong to this exclusive club.
Oh, and the attitude skyrockets if you’re from up north or California.
You’d be hard-pressed to find any other state with as much state pride.
Many cars and trucks have the Texas state flag on them.
To be fair, locals would be shocked to find out the way they come off is on the rude side.
But it is a culture shock.
How big is Texas to live in?
It’s easy to look at a map and see how big Texas is in comparison to the other states.
Wrapping your head around what that much land means is something else.
Here are a few examples to give you an idea of what we’re working with.
If you were to drive from Dallas, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, it’s a 12-hour straight shot with no stops.
In that half-day drive, you’d start in Texas and drive through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama before crossing the Georgia border.
If you were to drive from Dallas to El Paso, Texas, it’s also about a 12-hour drive.
You’d pass through exactly no new states.
There are plenty of broad states.
What about length?
If you were to start a road trip south from the panhandle’s Amarillo, you could drive the same amount of time and hit South Padre Island, the southern Texas tip.
So, hopefully, that provides some perspective on an endless state.
What are Texas cities like?
Texas is too big to have an ongoing theme throughout the towns.
If a city is what you’re aiming for, it would behoove you to get a feel for the best fit by checking out what makes them different.
Austin is the capital and is called a concrete jungle to residents.
That applies to the downtown only, though.
Austin is an eclectic mix of restaurants and shopping, otherwise.
It’s one of the more liberal areas in the state and is the home of the University of Texas.
Dallas – Fort Worth is a massive metroplex that combines cowboy and modern in two very different cities.
The former is much like any capital, except it’s just another city in Texas.
Fort Worth has a little more character.
Downtown has original brick from when cattle were driven through to the Stockyards.
Speaking of the Stockyards, while it’s very much a tourist area, they are still in use.
Houston has NASA and is the closest major city to the ocean.
San Antonio is a peek back at history as the home of the Alamo, which you can get to along the Riverwalk going through downtown.
That’s not even all the cities, but it’s a good start to getting a feel for Texas.
