Should you’re planning on shifting to Texas, add these cities to your listing.
Texas is huge. Massive landscapes and large cities outline the southern state, together with a southern tradition that values progress and custom. This distinctive mixture has helped create sprawling cities stuffed with vivid 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 continues to be rising quickly as folks search for sunshine and affordability. Most individuals are shifting to the state’s massive city facilities, like Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
Due to its dimension, Texas’ panorama varies broadly from one finish to the opposite. There are woodlands to the east, marshes within the south, mountains and desert to the west, and hundreds 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 12 months, 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. Your complete Gulf Coast sees an enormous quantity of rain yearly, primarily from tropical storms.
Importantly, excessive climate is frequent in Texas. It sees the very best variety of tornadoes within the U.S. (often 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 one of the best? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered one of the best locations to stay in Texas, rating them on qualities corresponding to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. Yow will discover extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
One of the best locations to stay 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 Price:3.9%
Constructed across the fertile banks of the West Fork Trinity River, Fort Value tops our listing as one of the best place to stay in Texas. Comparatively reasonably priced housing prices, loads of job alternatives, and a gradual financial system helped earn the town high marks. Cattle ranching and oil drilling have formed the town since its founding in 1853, however a various and engaged inhabitants have saved it thriving.
Fort Value is mostly thought-about a quieter, extra reasonably priced different to Dallas the place you keep the big-city facilities and achieve a small-town group really feel. Fort Value’s Downtown neighborhood is a superb instance of this: it’s historic, slower paced, and stuffed with locally-owned companies, but in addition has massive points of interest just like the Water Gardens and Conference Heart.
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. Practically 1,000,000 folks benefit from the metropolis’s large 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 when you’re searching for 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 Price: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 reasonably priced price of dwelling (housing prices are ~30% lower than the nationwide median) and loads of facilities, San Antonio has lots 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 the town’s various inhabitants and excellent delicacies. Barbecue and Mexican meals is world-class, after all, 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 services are scattered all through the town, with Pearsall Park, Southside Lions Park, and Phil Hardberger Park among the many hottest. You possibly can’t miss the enduring River Stroll, both. And simply exterior metropolis limits, you’ll be able to see Authorities Canyon and Pure Bridge Caverns, house to forested trails and underground concert events.
San Antonio houses on the market | San Antonio homes for lease | San Antonio flats for lease
3. Austin, TX
Inhabitants:979,882Median Sale Value:$443,000Median Hire Value:$1,420Average Commute Time:24 minutesUnemployment Price:3.2%
An hour and a half northeast of San Antonio, Austin is a historic and stylish hub of know-how, tradition, and schooling.
Referred to as the Dwell Music Capital of the World, hundreds of 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 little one of development up to now few a long time, and actually took off in the course of 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 grew to become famend nationwide.
Partly as a result of development, 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 the town, and continues to affect locals. Austin has seen massive worth drops and inhabitants decline not too long ago, with lease costs falling for nearly two years straight.
Even with the entire latest modifications, the Texas capital manages to stay to its “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. Eat breakfast tacos, float down the river with associates, and see your favourite band at a bar. In Austin, the world is your oyster.
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4. Dallas, TX
Inhabitants:1,302,868Median Sale Value:$419,000Median Hire Value:$1,455Average Commute Time:26 minutesUnemployment Price:3.4%
Dallas is available in at quantity 4 on our listing of one of the best locations to stay in Texas. Sitting adjoining to Fort Value, Dallas is understood for its soccer, cowboy tradition, glamorous downtown, and nice barbecue. Dallas is mostly pricier than Fort Value, however each sit under the nationwide median home and rental costs. Loads of folks have been making the most of the affordability not too long ago, too; the realm noticed the most important inhabitants development of all U.S. metros in 2023.
Folks of all ages can have a lot to do in Dallas. The Nice Wolf Lodge, Six Flags in Arlington, and the Dallas Zoo are excellent for weekend enjoyable, whereas 180 miles of pedestrian trails make for straightforward recreation. Dozens of historic landmarks dot the town’s gridded streets, too, like Founder’s Plaza, the Previous Crimson Museum and Courthouse, Previous Metropolis Park, and Degolyer Home & Gardens.
And you may’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 the town has to supply.
Make certain to contemplate the local weather earlier than making the transfer. Just like many different Texas cities, Dallas summers may be unbearably sizzling and really stormy. However a gentle, sunny local weather the remainder of the 12 months is a good tradeoff for locals, excellent for having fun with sporting occasions, consuming outside, or having fun with considered one of 410 metropolis parks.
Dallas houses on the market | Dallas homes for lease | Dallas flats for lease
5. Houston, TX
Inhabitants:2,314,157Median Sale Value:$338,000Median Hire Value:$1,250Average Commute Time:27.3 minutesUnemployment Price:4.2%
Houston, the most important metropolis in Texas, is subsequent on our listing. Town extends over 600 sq. miles almost to Galveston, and hasn’t stopped rising for many years. It noticed the second-largest inhabitants development within the nation in 2023, and the bigger metropolitan space has added a million new residents since 2010. Many individuals select to stay in Houston for its financial alternatives and reasonably priced price of dwelling, particularly within the metropolis’s suburbs.
In Houston, a glowing, historic downtown provides technique to a seemingly infinite variety of buildings and points of interest. You’ll discover 10,000 eating places, miles of bayous and trails, hundreds of acres of parks, a Area Heart, conflict memorials, ritzy procuring districts, and far more.
Oil, pure fuel, and manufacturing are the foremost industries on the town, however startups and know-how are rising, too. You’ll doubtless want a automotive to get to work, although, as public transportation and pedestrian entry are typically missing. Consequently, visitors may be very heavy throughout rush hours.
It’s additionally important to contemplate local weather dangers. Because of the metropolis’s huge sprawl, very moist local weather, and poor city planning, flooding is frequent and may be excessive. Sizzling, humid summers give technique to sturdy tropical storms and hurricanes. Thunderstorms are frequent in the course of the spring and summer time, too. Drought has additionally been a daily incidence up to now decade. Fall and winter are one of the best seasons in Houston, when gentle climate and loads of sunshine dominate the forecast.
Houston houses on the market | Houston homes for lease | Houston flats for lease
6. El Paso, TX
Inhabitants:678,958Median Sale Value:$264,000Median Hire Value:$955Average Commute Time:23.7 minutesUnemployment Price:3.8%
El Paso, situated 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 out of doors recreation earned it the quantity six spot on our listing.
The realm has been each a railroad and cow city, each legacies of that are nonetheless apparent right this moment. 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 outside. The Rio Grande River gives loads of alternatives for whitewater rafting, fishing, sunbathing, and extra. Franklin Mountains and Hueco Tanks State Parks are in all probability the most well-liked spots, although, with amphitheaters, trails, vistas, and extra.
Importantly, El Paso is situated on the border of Mexico, adjoining to its southern twin, Ciudad Juárez (whose identify was El Paso Del Norte). The 2 cities have been initially based as one, however they have been cut up by the border in 1848. Right now, 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 each day for college.
El Paso houses on the market | El Paso homes for lease | El Paso flats for lease
7. Denton, TX
Inhabitants:158,349Median Sale Value:$387,000Median Hire Value:$1,215Average Commute Time:24.6 minutesUnemployment Price:3.3%
Denton is house to nice meals, quiet neighborhoods, and historic buildings all through its compact structure, together with 41 parks and hundreds of acres of open area. Housing is comparatively reasonably priced, too, though costlier than Dallas correct. Normally, a robust financial system, nice faculties, and a steadily rising inhabitants assist make the town a pretty place to stay.
Denton has lengthy been a college city with a youthful vibe, house to the College of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Lady’s College (TWU). Greater than 50,000 college students are enrolled throughout the 2 faculties, influencing the town’s tradition and financial system. Training is the town’s high business.
The center of Denton is the recognizable Denton Sq., house to the historic Denton County Courthouse and a brand new, massive shopping center. As you progress out, you’ll discover suburban neighborhoods, parks, and vigorous group hubs.
Eating places of every type, from black-tie institutions to informal diners, are an area spotlight. Nonetheless, the 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 group, too.
Denton houses on the market | Denton homes for lease | Denton flats for lease
8. Richardson, TX
Inhabitants:117,435Median Sale Value:$431,000Median Hire Value:$2,020Average Commute Time:23.9 minutesUnemployment Price:3%
A suburb simply 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, Richardson is the eighth-best place to stay in Texas. Financial stability, an abundance of housing, and scrumptious meals are the town’s major 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 business. In reality, the town is also known as the Telecom Hall as a result of focus of firms like AT&T, Cisco, and Texas Devices. This abundance helped transfer the town past a small suburb, and at present makes the realm interesting to professionals.
Despite the fact that Richardson is a comparatively quiet, business-focused suburb, you gained’t simply run out of issues to do. You possibly can play greater than 80 retro video games at Free Play Arcade (not truly free), sip a beer from Guitars and Growlers, or see a present on the Eisemann Heart for Performing Arts. Dwell music is an enormous deal in Richardson, too.
Richardson houses on the market | Richardson homes for lease | Richardson flats for lease
9. School Station, TX
Inhabitants:125,192Median Sale Value:$320,000Median Hire Value:$1,685Average Commute Time:17.2 minutesUnemployment Price:2.8%
School Station, often known as The Coronary heart of Aggieland®, is situated in Central Texas between Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Texas A&M’s flagship campus is located within the coronary heart of the town, round which residential neighborhoods, parks, and different facilities are situated. Town of Bryan is straight adjoining, to the northwest. Sturdy schooling and an reasonably priced price of dwelling helped School Station earn a excessive rating.
School Station is effectively and actually a university city. Greater than 71,000 Texas A&M college students stay within the metropolis, accounting for effectively over half its inhabitants. Lots of the metropolis’s points of interest are additionally connected to the college ultimately. For instance, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, Gary Halter Nature Heart, 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 enduring Dixie Hen, A&M’s favourite watering gap.
School Station houses on the market | School Station homes for lease | School Station flats for lease
10. Plano, TX
Inhabitants:290,190Median Sale Value:$550,000Median Hire Value:$1,815Average Commute Time:25.6 minutesUnemployment Price:2.8%
Plano is a dense suburb of Dallas however has not too long ago change into a metropolis in its personal proper. A powerful financial system, excessive incomes, and loads of fashionable facilities assist make Plano an excellent place to stay. It’ll price fairly a bit extra to purchase a home than surrounding areas, although – almost $150,000 greater than Dallas correct.
Plano noticed an enormous surge in development from 1970-2020, rising almost 15x. On account of this booming inhabitants, and a business-friendly surroundings, 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. Should you’re seeking to relocate for a profession, Plano will be the place for you.
Hottest facilities on the town are situated at considered one of many malls, corresponding to Preston Park Village, Park Pavilion Heart, and Lakeside Market. Different distinctive facilities, just like the Japanese meals and items retailer Mitsuwa Market, may be discovered alongside major boulevards.
Plano houses on the market | Plano homes for lease | Plano flats for lease
Methodology
Redfin’s Finest Locations to Dwell rankings are supposed to assist house searchers make an knowledgeable choice when selecting the place to stay. To try to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes into consideration a number of key elements, together with entry to healthcare, open out of doors area, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 100,000 or higher have been thought-about for our Texas listing. Extra details about our methodology may be discovered right here.
Knowledge legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
