If you happen to’re planning on transferring to Texas, add these cities to your listing.
Texas is huge. Huge landscapes and massive cities outline the southern state, together with a southern tradition that values progress and custom. This distinctive mixture has helped create sprawling cities filled with brilliant lights and innovation adjoining to huge prairies the place ranchers have farmed for generations.
These qualities have attracted folks to the state for years: Texas was among the many quickest rising states within the U.S. from 2010-2020, and remains to be rising quickly as folks search for sunshine and affordability. Most individuals are transferring to the state’s massive city facilities, like Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
Due to its measurement, Texas’ panorama varies extensively from one finish to the opposite. There are woodlands to the east, marshes within the south, mountains and desert to the west, and 1000’s of miles of rolling prairies within the heart and north.
Texas’ local weather can be very various. Western Texas sees dry, sunny climate for a lot of the yr, with very popular summers. Central and Northern Texas expertise a windy, temperate local weather. As you progress east, the local weather turns into wetter and extra humid, particularly within the far east. The complete Gulf Coast sees an enormous quantity of rain yearly, primarily from tropical storms.
Importantly, excessive climate is widespread in Texas. It sees the best variety of tornadoes within the U.S. (normally within the central and northern plains), is very vulnerable to flooding, wildfires, and drought, and generally sees tropical storms and extended warmth waves.
So, which cities within the Lone Star State are the perfect? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the perfect locations to dwell in Texas, rating them on qualities equivalent to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You will discover extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
The perfect locations to dwell in Texas
Fort Value, TX
San Antonio, TX
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
El Paso, TX
Denton, TX
Richardson, TX
School Station, TX
Plano, TX
1. Fort Value, TX
Inhabitants:978,468Median Sale Value:$357,000Median Hire Value:$1,280Average Commute Time:26.9 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.9%
Constructed across the fertile banks of the West Fork Trinity River, Fort Value tops our listing as the perfect place to dwell in Texas. Comparatively inexpensive housing prices, loads of job alternatives, and a gentle financial system helped earn town prime marks. Cattle ranching and oil drilling have formed town since its founding in 1853, however a various and engaged inhabitants have saved it thriving.
Fort Value is usually thought of a quieter, extra inexpensive different to Dallas the place you keep the big-city facilities and achieve a small-town neighborhood really feel. Fort Value’s Downtown neighborhood is a superb instance of this: it’s historic, slower paced, and filled with locally-owned companies, but in addition has massive points of interest just like the Water Gardens and Conference Middle.
Whereas also known as a part of the bigger Dallas-Fort Value metropolitan space, Fort Value is a world-class metropolis in its personal proper. Almost 1,000,000 folks benefit from the metropolis’s enormous open areas, distinctive delicacies, and annual occasions. The Botanic and Japanese Gardens at Trinity Park are a must-see. For foodies, Panther Metropolis BBQ, Birria y Taqueria de Cortez, and Swiss Pastry Store are among the many finest native eats. And should you’re in search of a enjoyable weekend, the Fort Value Inventory Present and Rodeo each winter is iconic.
Nonetheless, minimal public transportation and a fast-growing inhabitants usually results in heavy visitors congestion within the mornings and evenings.
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2. San Antonio, TX
Inhabitants:1,495,295Median Sale Value:$315,000Median Hire Value:$1,100Average Commute Time:24.6 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.9%
Positioned in Southern Texas, 150 miles from the Gulf Coast, San Antonio is second on our listing. San Antonio is known as the Alamo Metropolis after its most well-known landmark, and manages to mix colonial historical past, agricultural traditions, and fashionable luxuries into one. Together with a really inexpensive price of residing (housing prices are ~30% lower than the nationwide median) and loads of facilities, San Antonio has quite a bit to supply.
A defining function of San Antonio is its meals scene. In reality, it’is a UNESCO Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy, giving credence to town’s various inhabitants and excellent delicacies. Barbecue and Mexican meals is world-class, in fact, however there’s a lot extra. Nice choices can be found in any respect worth factors, too. San Taco, Shiro Japanese Bistro, and Dough Pizzeria Napoletana are among the many finest.
Stunning parks and trails are a little bit of a hidden gem in San Antonio. Greater than 240 fields, swimming pools, and amenities are scattered all through town, with Pearsall Park, Southside Lions Park, and Phil Hardberger Park among the many hottest. You’ll be able to’t miss the long-lasting River Stroll, both. And simply exterior metropolis limits, you’ll be able to see Authorities Canyon and Pure Bridge Caverns, dwelling to forested trails and underground live shows.
San Antonio houses on the market | San Antonio homes for lease | San Antonio residences for lease
3. Austin, TX
Inhabitants:979,882Median Sale Value:$443,000Median Hire Value:$1,420Average Commute Time:24 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.2%
An hour and a half northeast of San Antonio, Austin is a historic and classy hub of know-how, tradition, and schooling.
Often known as the Stay Music Capital of the World, thousands and thousands of individuals flock to Austin yearly for its music, highlighted by the South by Southwest and Austin Metropolis Limits festivals. However that’s simply the tip of the musical iceberg; greater than 250 music venues (plus the airport) host exhibits year-round. Some bands will even skip the formalities and simply arrange on a nook downtown.
Importantly, Austin has been the poster youngster of progress prior to now few a long time, and actually took off through the pandemic housing growth. The following housing frenzy led Austin to be a nationwide hotspot, including wealth, jobs, and new communities seemingly in a single day. What was already a hip vacation spot turned famend nationwide.
Partly because of the progress, home costs in Austin rose from $309,000 in January 2020 to $555,000 in April 2022. Sadly, the rise priced some homebuyers out of town, and continues to impression locals. Austin has seen massive worth drops and inhabitants decline just lately, with lease costs falling for nearly two years straight.
Even with all the current modifications, the Texas capital manages to stay to its “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. Eat breakfast tacos, float down the river with buddies, and see your favourite band at a bar. In Austin, the world is your oyster.
Austin houses on the market | Austin homes for lease | Austin residences for lease
4. Dallas, TX
Inhabitants:1,302,868Median Sale Value:$419,000Median Hire Value:$1,455Average Commute Time:26 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.4%
Dallas is available in at quantity 4 on our listing of the perfect locations to dwell in Texas. Sitting adjoining to Fort Value, Dallas is understood for its soccer, cowboy tradition, glamorous downtown, and nice barbecue. Dallas is usually pricier than Fort Value, however each sit under the nationwide median home and rental costs. Loads of folks have been profiting from the affordability just lately, too; the realm noticed the most important inhabitants progress of all U.S. metros in 2023.
Individuals of all ages could have a lot to do in Dallas. The Nice Wolf Lodge, Six Flags in Arlington, and the Dallas Zoo are good for weekend enjoyable, whereas 180 miles of pedestrian trails make for straightforward recreation. Dozens of historic landmarks dot town’s gridded streets, too, like Founder’s Plaza, the Previous Crimson Museum and Courthouse, Previous Metropolis Park, and Degolyer Home & Gardens.
And you’ll’t miss the meals, whether or not it’s Tex-Mex or good ol’ barbecue. Avila’s, Hutchins BBQ, and Maple and Motor provide a few of the finest delicacies town has to supply.
Be certain to contemplate the local weather earlier than making the transfer. Much like many different Texas cities, Dallas summers could be unbearably sizzling and really stormy. However a gentle, sunny local weather the remainder of the yr is a good tradeoff for locals, good for having fun with sporting occasions, consuming open air, or having fun with certainly one of 410 metropolis parks.
Dallas houses on the market | Dallas homes for lease | Dallas residences for lease
5. Houston, TX
Inhabitants:2,314,157Median Sale Value:$338,000Median Hire Value:$1,250Average Commute Time:27.3 minutesUnemployment Charge:4.2%
Houston, the most important metropolis in Texas, is subsequent on our listing. Town extends over 600 sq. miles practically to Galveston, and hasn’t stopped rising for many years. It noticed the second-largest inhabitants progress within the nation in 2023, and the bigger metropolitan space has added a million new residents since 2010. Many individuals select to dwell in Houston for its financial alternatives and inexpensive price of residing, particularly within the metropolis’s suburbs.
In Houston, a glowing, historic downtown provides approach to a seemingly infinite variety of buildings and points of interest. You’ll discover 10,000 eating places, miles of bayous and trails, 1000’s of acres of parks, a Area Middle, battle memorials, ritzy purchasing districts, and rather more.
Oil, pure fuel, and manufacturing are the key industries on the town, however startups and know-how are rising, too. You’ll possible want a automobile to get to work, although, as public transportation and pedestrian entry are typically missing. Consequently, visitors could be very heavy throughout rush hours.
It’s additionally important to contemplate local weather dangers. As a result of metropolis’s large sprawl, very moist local weather, and poor city planning, flooding is widespread and could be excessive. Sizzling, humid summers give approach to sturdy tropical storms and hurricanes. Thunderstorms are widespread through the spring and summer season, too. Drought has additionally been an everyday incidence prior to now decade. Fall and winter are the perfect seasons in Houston, when delicate climate and loads of sunshine dominate the forecast.
Houston houses on the market | Houston homes for lease | Houston residences for lease
6. El Paso, TX
Inhabitants:678,958Median Sale Value:$264,000Median Hire Value:$955Average Commute Time:23.7 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.8%
El Paso, positioned within the Chihuahuan Desert, has a markedly drier, sunnier, hotter local weather than most different cities in Texas. It’s named Solar Metropolis for a cause, in spite of everything. Nice affordability, loads of open area, and outside recreation earned it the quantity six spot on our listing.
The world has been each a railroad and cow city, each legacies of that are nonetheless apparent at this time. You’ll discover loads of steakhouses, historic grazing lands, and modern-day ranchers with their Stetson hats and spurred boots, in addition to railroad reveals on the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens.
El Paso is nice for individuals who benefit from the open air. The Rio Grande River gives loads of alternatives for whitewater rafting, fishing, sunbathing, and extra. Franklin Mountains and Hueco Tanks State Parks are most likely the most well-liked spots, although, with amphitheaters, trails, vistas, and extra.
Importantly, El Paso is positioned on the border of Mexico, adjoining to its southern twin, Ciudad Juárez (whose identify was once El Paso Del Norte). The 2 cities had been initially based as one, however they had been cut up by the border in 1848. At present, the cities have a cordial relationship with each other, with each day life usually cut up between the 2. For instance, it’s commonplace for binational youngsters to cross the border on daily basis for college.
El Paso houses on the market | El Paso homes for lease | El Paso residences for lease
7. Denton, TX
Inhabitants:158,349Median Sale Value:$387,000Median Hire Value:$1,215Average Commute Time:24.6 minutesUnemployment Charge:3.3%
Denton is dwelling to nice meals, quiet neighborhoods, and historic buildings all through its compact structure, together with 41 parks and 1000’s of acres of open area. Housing is comparatively inexpensive, too, though dearer than Dallas correct. Generally, a robust financial system, nice colleges, and a steadily rising inhabitants assist make town a lovely place to dwell.
Denton has lengthy been a college city with a youthful vibe, dwelling to the College of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Girl’s College (TWU). Greater than 50,000 college students are enrolled throughout the 2 schools, influencing town’s tradition and financial system. Training is town’s prime trade.
The center of Denton is the recognizable Denton Sq., dwelling to the historic Denton County Courthouse and a brand new, massive shopping center. As you progress out, you’ll discover suburban neighborhoods, parks, and full of life neighborhood hubs.
Eating places of all sorts, from black-tie institutions to informal diners, are an area spotlight. Nonetheless, town’s music scene could also be its best-kept secret. The Denton Arts and Jazz Pageant, Denton Blues Pageant, and Make Music Day are annual highlights. UNT’s famend School of Music bolsters the music neighborhood, too.
Denton houses on the market | Denton homes for lease | Denton residences for lease
8. Richardson, TX
Inhabitants:117,435Median Sale Value:$431,000Median Hire Value:$2,020Average Commute Time:23.9 minutesUnemployment Charge:3%
A suburb simply 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, Richardson is the eighth-best place to dwell in Texas. Financial stability, an abundance of housing, and scrumptious meals are town’s essential calling playing cards. Housing costs are comparatively costly, although, with sale and rental costs sitting above the nationwide common.
Richardson is finest identified for its telecommunications trade. In reality, town is also known as the Telecom Hall because of the focus of firms like AT&T, Cisco, and Texas Devices. This abundance helped transfer town past a small suburb, and at the moment makes the realm interesting to professionals.
Though Richardson is a comparatively quiet, business-focused suburb, you received’t simply run out of issues to do. You’ll be able to play greater than 80 retro video games at Free Play Arcade (not really free), sip a beer from Guitars and Growlers, or see a present on the Eisemann Middle for Performing Arts. Stay music is a giant deal in Richardson, too.
Richardson houses on the market | Richardson homes for lease | Richardson residences for lease
9. School Station, TX
Inhabitants:125,192Median Sale Value:$320,000Median Hire Value:$1,685Average Commute Time:17.2 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.8%
School Station, generally known as The Coronary heart of Aggieland®, is positioned in Central Texas between Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Texas A&M’s flagship campus is located within the coronary heart of town, round which residential neighborhoods, parks, and different facilities are positioned. Town of Bryan is instantly adjoining, to the northwest. Sturdy schooling and an inexpensive price of residing helped School Station earn a excessive rating.
School Station is properly and really a school city. Greater than 71,000 Texas A&M college students dwell within the metropolis, accounting for properly over half its inhabitants. Most of the metropolis’s points of interest are additionally hooked up to the college not directly. For instance, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, Gary Halter Nature Middle, and The Gardens are all on the campus, however welcome everybody who desires to go to. Past campus limits, yow will discover locations just like the City Air Trampoline and Journey Park and BigShots Golf.
Additionally, you will discover loads of eating places on the town beloved by college students and longtime residents alike. The Northgate district is the place you’ll discover most scholar hotspots, together with Nam Cafe and the long-lasting Dixie Hen, A&M’s favourite watering gap.
School Station houses on the market | School Station homes for lease | School Station residences for lease
10. Plano, TX
Inhabitants:290,190Median Sale Value:$550,000Median Hire Value:$1,815Average Commute Time:25.6 minutesUnemployment Charge:2.8%
Plano is a dense suburb of Dallas however has just lately change into a metropolis in its personal proper. A robust financial system, excessive incomes, and loads of well-liked facilities assist make Plano an incredible place to dwell. It can price fairly a bit extra to purchase a home than surrounding areas, although – practically $150,000 greater than Dallas correct.
Plano noticed an enormous surge in progress from 1970-2020, growing practically 15x. On account of this booming inhabitants, and a business-friendly atmosphere, quite a few Fortune 1000 firms now have headquarters within the metropolis, together with JPMorgan Chase, Financial institution of America, Toyota, Liberty Mutual, and extra. If you happen to’re seeking to relocate for a profession, Plano would be the place for you.
Hottest facilities on the town are positioned at certainly one of many malls, equivalent to Preston Park Village, Park Pavilion Middle, and Lakeside Market. Different distinctive facilities, just like the Japanese meals and items retailer Mitsuwa Market, could be discovered alongside essential boulevards.
Plano houses on the market | Plano homes for lease | Plano residences for lease
Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Stay rankings are supposed to assist dwelling searchers make an knowledgeable determination when selecting the place to dwell. To try to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key elements, together with entry to healthcare, open outside area, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, earnings, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 100,000 or higher had been thought of for our Texas listing. Extra details about our methodology could be discovered right here.
Information legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
