Texas is the perfect place to call home. It offers both urban and rural living, and is a great place to raise a family. The state is known for its warm and sunny climate, which is perfect for outdoor activities such as golf, swimming, and camping.
If you’re considering a move to the Lone Star State, finding reliable cross country movers is crucial. These professionals can help make your transition to Texas smooth and stress-free.
Texas is also known for its delicious food, including Tex-Mex, barbecue, and seafood. The state also has a strong economy and a vibrant arts and music scene.
Whether you’re looking for a job, an adventure, or just a change of scenery, Texas has something for everyone. Moving to Texas is sure to be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Why Move to Texas?
A large state with lots of different cities to choose from, Texas offers something for everyone. Some of the main reasons why people flock there from around the world include:
- Affordable Housing – While the prices of homes are going up across the country, there are still plenty of affordable homes in many of the major cities in Texas as well in the smaller towns. The average price of a home in San Antonio, for example, is just $245,000 and a home in Houston averages just $289,000.
- Zero Income Tax – Texas is one of seven states in which there is no state income tax, leaving residents with more disposable income.
- Booming Economy – Texas ranked 9th on US News & World Report’s list of states with the strongest economies based on startup activity, GDP growth, employment and more.
- Warm Weather – Truth be told, Texas is a huge state and the weather can vary greatly from place to place. In the summer, it can be unbearably hot at times, but in the winter the temperatures average in the mid-60’s.
- Deregulated Electricity – The electricity market in Texas is degregulated, meaning that consumers are free to choose from a number of energy companies, keeping prices more competitive.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Texas?
The average cost of a move to Texas is $2700. If you are planning a relocation to Texas, you can choose the information in the chart below to guide your budget planning. Don’t forget that prices can vary significantly depending on the distance and amount you are moving.
| Type of Service | 1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedrooms | 4-5 Bedrooms |
| DIY/Truck Rental | $500 – $2400 | $790 – $4350 | $1400 – $4800 |
| Moving Container | $800 – $2700 | $1200 – $4800 | $2200 – $7900 |
| Full Service | $1300 – $3900 | $1600 – $8500 | $3200 – $14200 |
If you’d like to learn more about what moving costs entail, this article has the answers:
What are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Texas?
Pros
- Low cost of living
- Growing economy and job market
- Excellent schools
- Family-friendly
- Options for urban and suburban living
Cons
- Poor public transportation options in most parts of state
- Urban sprawl and traffic
- High property taxes
- Humidity
- Hurricanes
What’s the Cost of Living in Texas?
Texas is known for being one of the most affordable states to live in. The average income in the state is slightly less than the national average at $59,206, but it only costs about $40,000 to cover major expenses in most of the state.
The average home in Texas is worth around $265,000 with median mortgage payments at $1244 per month. Rentals are also affordable with studios averaging $900 per month going up to $1641 for a four-bedroom home.
Cities like Austin bring the average price up as homes there can go for over half a million dollars, but there are plenty of more affordable options even in cities as big as Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
Utility bills run around $400 per month including electricity, gas, cable/internet and water. And the average Texan spends around $275 per person per month on groceries and food.
The lack of state income tax definitely adds to the disposable income of many Texans and allows for some freedom in spending on recreational activities.
Where are the Best Cities to Live in Texas?
As a huge state with over 1,200 incorporated cities with populations ranging from over two million to under 1,000, there are plenty of options of places to call home in Texas. Following is a list of some of the more desirable cities to live in based on the size of the city, crime rate, cost of living, and other amenities:
1. Brownsville
Average Income: $33,690
Median Home Price: $339,450
Located close to the border with Mexico, Brownsville offers affordable housing and a low cost of living with easy access to beaches and other recreational activities. The city is the home of SpaceX, which employs over 1,600 people in the aeronautics industry.
2. Amarillo
Average Income: $51,116
Median Home Price: $329,450
Amarillo is situated in the Texas panhandle and contains a mix of agriculture, meatpacking and other major industries. Notably, Amarillo is home to the Pantex Nuclear Weapons facility which is the only place in the USA where nuclear weapons are assembled.
3. El Paso
Average Income: $41,732
Median Home Price: $285,725
El Paso is in the western part of the state, bordering Mexico. The city is known as Sun City because its desert location offers warm and sunny weather all year. People in El Paso spend lots of time outside, and cheer on their own minor league baseball team.
4. Corpus Christi
Average Income: $48,060
Median Home Price: $342,490
For the beach lovers, Corpus Christi is in a prime location on the Gulf of Mexico. IN addition to the beautiful beaches, the city boasts a vivid history and cultural and recreational activities including the Texas State Aquarium and a naval air station that is open to visitors.
5. San Antonio
Average Income: $50,022
Median Home Price: $374,525
One of the more well-known cities in Texas, San Antonio is most famous for the Alamo historical site. The lively Hispanic culture and popular arts district give San Antonio its unique flavor.
6. College Station
Average Income: $44,037
Median Home Price: $349,950
For those who like the university vibe, Texas A&M University is a mainstay of College Station. The city attracts more than just students, however, and is part of the state’s high-tech center made even more convenient by its location with the “Texas Triangle” made up of the big cities Austin, Dallas and Houston.
7. Fort Worth
Average Income: $61,554
Median Home Price: $461,450
Sometimes known as Dallas-Forth Worth because of the proximity between the two cities, Fort Worth is technically a suburb of Dallas and is more affordable and has a lower crime rate. With a booming economy, there are lots of job opportunities in a range of fields in Fort Worth as well as plenty of cultural and entertainment activities.
8. Houston
Average Income: $59,893
Median Home Price: $383,000
The Houston metro area is the 4th largest in the United States, so if you want to be in a big city, Houston could be the place for you. While it has all the amenities of a big city including employment opportunities, museums, culture, and nightlife, it is still very affordable especially as compared to other cities of its size in other parts of the country.
9. Austin
Average Income: $64,913
Median Home Price: $575,000
Austin is Texas’ capital and one of the most desirable places to live in the state (as proven by its higher home prices in comparison to other cities). Over the last decade, many companies have begun moving their headquarters to Austin in part to take advantage of certain tax policies.
How is the Job Market in Texas?
People say that everything is bigger in Texas and that seems to hold true for the job market. The large number of big companies across a range of industries from health care and technology to construction and hospitality mean there is plenty of variety and opportunity for people of varying levels of experience.
The fastest growing field in Texas is health care, with a big demand for nurse practitioners in particular. Doctors in general receive the highest salaries in the state, followed by air traffic controllers, sales managers, and athletes.
Job opportunities do differ depending on the area of the state. The more rural areas focus on farming and agriculture, with more high tech and business opportunities concentrated in the bigger cities.
What is Texas Most Known for?
Texans love their food and are proud of their culinary accomplishments. Chile con queso and frozen margaritas are just two delicacies that were invented in Texas and are staples of the Tex-Mex menu that also includes tacos and fajitas.
When they aren’t indulging in spicy salsas, Texans are probably eating barbecue. Once you move to Texas, you can expect to be invited to a lot of barbecues to mark occasions from weddings to graduations and even funerals.
The Texan love for barbecue may be due at least in part to the state’s longstanding history in cattle ranching. There are museums dedicated to the cattle drives of the past and there are also plenty of dude ranches around the state where people can experience first hand what it’s like to ride and raise cattle.
For those less interested in ranches and more interested in music, there is a hopping country music scene across the state with plenty of opportunities to catch live shows.
The state also features a number of historical sites like the Alamo and the San Jacinto Monument which are great places for tourists and locals to visit to learn about Texas history.
What are the Best Schools and Universities in Texas?
School age children in Texas are able to attend public school for free in one of the 1,026 public school districts in the state. Overall, the state’s educational ranking is fairly smack in the middle at number 27 among all 50 states with a ranking for 33 for educational quality and a respectable 14 for school safety. The best school districts in the state are in Austin and San Antonio.
When it comes to higher education, the top colleges and universities in Texas include: Rice University in Houston, University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University in College Station.
U of T and Texas A&M are two of the country’s biggest universities with over 40,000 undergraduates. There are also many smaller colleges and liberal arts schools throughout the state and lots of options for students to remain in Texas for their college years.
FAQ
How do I plan a successful long-distance move to Texas?
Planning a long-distance move to Texas involves several key steps. Start by researching reputable long-distance movers with experience in interstate relocations. Request quotes, compare services, and read customer reviews. Once you choose a mover, create a detailed moving checklist, pack systematically, update your address, and notify necessary parties about your move.
Is it a good idea to move to Texas?
Texas prides itself on a growing economy, diverse cities and a full and bustling life. Considering the rich culture and affordable housing, it’s no surprise that people are flocking to the Lone Star State, and if you choose to make your home there you are likely to find plenty of great opportunities.
What is it like to live in Texas?
One of the most notable features of Texas is the weather. While it definitely doesn’t get the cold and snow that other parts of the country have to deal with, Texas can be very hot, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees regularly in the summer.
Why are homes in Texas so cheap?
There are two main reasons why homes in Texas are generally cheaper than in other places. First, the land itself is abundant and therefore prices remain low relative to demand – there is plenty of room for everyone. In addition, wages are also relatively low so the home prices are in line.
How much does it cost to move to Texas?
The cost of moving to Texas will depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of your home and the distance you are moving. The average cost of a long-distance move is between $2,300 and $4,300, but it can be higher or lower depending on the specific details of your move.
Welcome to the Lone Star State
Pack up your water bottles so that you’ll be sure to stay hydrated in the hot Texas summer, and get ready to start your new life in the friendly state of Texas. With such a wide variety of cities and towns, you can find the perfect place to make your new home.
Whether you are looking for agricultural opportunities or want to try your luck in high tech or other exciting industries, the Texas job market is the place to be. Once you’ve decided where to go, you just have to figure out how you’re going to get there – we can help you find the best movers in Texas.
