Zero income tax, affordable homes, and excellent healthcare have motivated more than17.2%people to move to Texas. But it’s not that easy for everyone. With a median home price of306K, houses in Texas can be expensive.
Should that stop you from moving to the Lone Star State? Absolutely NOT!
Cities like Brownsville and Abilene offer several budget-friendly options. While Brownsville offers the cost of living15%lower than the national average, the median home price in Abilene is$198K.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, Texas has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in Texas!
4 Reasons to live in Texas ⭐
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in Texas is ~$293K. But you can get houses between $175K and $250K in cities like Brownsville, Abilene, and Wichita Falls.
- Tax Benefits: The Texas Constitution forbids personal income taxes.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare in cities that are mentioned in this blog is up to 6% lower than the state average. In some cities, the average healthcare is even cheaper than the national average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than the national average. You can save up to $800 per month in rent.
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Cheapest Places to Live in Texas in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | $43,174 | $230,000 | 189,382 | 5.0% | 26.1% |
| Abilene | $54,493 | $223,000 | 127,385 | 3.2% | 15.9% |
| Wichita Falls | $50,856 | $176,450 | 102,664 | 3.8% | 17.8% |
| Lubbock | $54,060 | $225,000 | 263,930 | 3.9% | 19.3% |
| San Angelo | $59,148 | $225,000 | 99,112 | 3.4% | 11.8% |
| Pasadena | $64,698 | $245,000 | 147,662 | 6.0% | 18.0% |
| Killeen | $57,086 | $250,000 | 159,172 | 5.3% | 16.0% |
| Waco | $47,421 | $201,700 | 144,816 | 3.7% | 24.8% |
| Arlington | $71,736 | $322,876 | 398,431 | 3.5% | 13% |
| El Paso | $55,710 | $223,913 | 678,958 | 3.9% | 20.1% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in TX
The annual population growth of 19% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to the Lone Star State. If you’re considering shifting to Texas, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Brownsville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 15%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $230,000 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,300 |
| 🌅 Known For | Deep-Water Seaport |
Brownsville is an affordable place to live in Texas. Its median house rent ranges from $515to$3,800. A low cost of living and affordable housing has led to a population growth of 1.73% since 2020.
Situated in Texas near the Mexican border, Brownsville is a charming and inviting city. This coastal destination enjoys stunning year-round weather and holds the title of “The Sunset Capital of the World.”
»Homes for Sale in Brownsville, TX:Find your dream home in the most inexpensive cities to live.
2. Abilene
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $223,000 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,395 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Dyess Air Force Base |
Abilene is one of the most budget-friendly rental destinations in Texas with an average home rent ranging from $675 – $2,000. It also offers affordable healthcare which is 10% lower than the national average.
Abilene is a great place for people looking to buy a home. It has good opportunities for businesses, and living here is not expensive. The total cost of living with rent is $1,969. Moreover, it draws a varied community, including healthcare workers, financial experts, and military personnel.
»Homes for Sale in Abilene, TX:Browse thousands of property listings in the Key City.
3. Wichita Falls
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $176,450 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,025 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Hamilton Building |
With rental costs below the national average, Wichita Falls stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Texas. The house rent price is between $405 – $3,000.
Wichita Falls is a great place for nature lovers. There are lots of green spaces like Lucy Park and Kiwanis Park where people can do hiking and biking.
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4. Lubbock
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $225,000 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,350 |
| 🏖️ Known For | National Ranching Heritage Center |
Lubbock offers budget-friendly living with a median rent that is $650 lower than the national median. Moreover, the monthly utility costs are 6.5% below the national average in this city.
You can discover the skeleton and craft displays at the Museum of Texas Tech University. You can check out the performance and visual arts at Buddy Holly Center. You can also take a walk through the Lubbock downtown historic district to find different types of shops, eateries, and entertainment choices.
»Homes for Sale in Lubbock, TX:Browse through thousands of affordable properties.
5. San Angelo
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $225,000 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,274 |
| 🎨 Known For | Wool and Mohair Market |
Also known as “The Pearl of West Texas,” average cost of living in San Angelo is$1,852. The average food expenses are 9% lower than the national average.
San Angelo’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of the cheapest places to live in the US.
»Homes for Sale in San Angelo, TX:Browse through thousands of properties in the Queen City.
6. Pasadena
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $245,000 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,450 |
| 🏫 Known For | Strawberry Festival |
The house rent in Pasadena is between $424 – $3,200. With an average household income of $64,698, you can comfortably live in this city.
Pasadena is a compelling real estate choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking affordable living in Texas. The city is famous for its parks, trails, and green spaces. The annual cost for housing, food, health care, and other essentials for a single adult in Pasadena is $34,399.
»Homes for Sale in Pasadena, TX:Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Texas.
7. Killeen
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 8%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $250,000 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,300 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Fort Hood |
Killeen is indeed one of the best places to live in Texas, with a slight year-over-year median home price decline of 1.7% in December 2023. The average monthly spending on food for an individual in the United States is $452. This expenditure reflects its status as one of the most budget-friendly options across the country.
People in Killeen can check out the military artifacts and equipment dating back to the 19th century at the 1st Cavalry Division Museum. You can also go to Stillhouse Hollow Lake for fun outdoor things like boating, fishing, and hiking.
»Homes for Sale in Killeen, TX:Get yourself a home in cheapest city to live in Texas.
8. Waco
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 11%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $201,700 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,495 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Texas Sports Hall of Fame |
Waco is centrally located between Dallas and Austin. It is home renowned Baylor University. The cost of living in this city is 11% lower to national average. This make the city one of the most affordable cities in Texas.
Waco has two major employers like Allen Samuels Holdings and FinishMaster in Construction sectors. Apart from this, food and utilities costs are also 18% lower than the national average. With an average rent of $1,495, Waco provides a more manageable option compared to pricier metro areas.
»Homes for Sale in Waco, TX:Get yourself a home in the most affordable cities to live in Texas.
9. Arlington
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $322,876 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $2,200 |
| 🖼️ Known For | International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame |
The cost of living in this Texas city is 4% lower than the national average. The American Dream City’s housing expenses are 9% lower with an average rent of $2,200. Additionally, healthcare is 11% lower compared to US average.
The city is home to major sports team like Texas Rangers. There are also amusem*nt parks, bowling clubs and gardens. Apart from this, Finn Holding Corporation and Don Davis Auto Group are the two major employers in Arlington.
»Homes for Sale in Arlington, TX: Search houses in cheapest cities to live in Texas.
10. El Paso
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 10%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $223,913 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,619 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Franklin Mountains State Park |
El Paso, TX is the 22nd largest city in the US, but it stands out as one of the most affordable places to live in Texas. The housing expenses in El Paso are also quite affordable that is 10% lower than national average.
The average home price stands at $223,913, and the monthly rent is only $1,619. Based on our research, both rent and the average home price fall within the category of the most affordable housing costs. Apart from this, Helen of Troy and El Paso Electric are two major employers in this city that boasts man job opportunities.
»Homes for Sale in El Paso, TX: Find your dream home in one of the cheapest city to live in Texas.
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The Bottom Line
The cost of living in Texas is 7% lower than the national average. Nevertheless, it is still home to some of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you want to shift to Texas, you can find affordable housing in cities like Brownsville, Abilene, and Wichita Falls.
Cities like Lubbock and San Angelo have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
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» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in Texas, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute,World Population Review, Rent Cafe, and Zillow.
FAQs
What is the cheapest place to live in Texas?
The cheapest place to live in Texas is Brownsville. It offers affordable utilities, which are 9.6% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Texas: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Texas!
Where is the best place to live in Texas?
The best place to live in Texas is Austin, followed by Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Plano, and Houston.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Texas?
Texas offers a good value for home buyers, with an average price of $293,824. This is significantly lower than states like Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
- Cheapest Places to Live in
- Texas
