While metropolitan hubs such as Austin or Dallas may come to mind when you think of the Lone Star State, you don’t have to go big when it comes to choosing the best cities in Texas. Smaller cities such as Cedar Park offer plenty and at a more affordable price point to boot.
The research team at USA TODAY Homefront ranked 52 cities in Texas by analyzing 18 different metrics that include affordability and quality of life. Our No. 2 pick, Laredo, is a bustling inland port city that might appeal to those who have a love for Spanish historical sites and a lower rental budget. Temple, in our No. 5 spot, beckons with a thriving healthcare industry and top-rated school district.
On the other hand, Houston (No. 50) and Fort Worth (No. 49) rank lower due to higher crime rates, a greater risk of hurricanes and increased living costs.
Overall, Texas has plenty to offer: barbecue galore, no state income tax and diverse geography that spans beaches, deserts and mountains.
Consider these five cities from our 2024 study before you find the best moving company. Texas is calling.
Key findings
Texas gained more than 120,000 new adult residents in 2022, making it the state with the second-highest net gain in 2022.
Tyler is the best city to move to in Texas, offering low unemployment, top medical access and low risk for natural hazards.
Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metro areas rank at the bottom since costs are generally higher than the national average.
Why are people moving to Texas?
The allure of Texas is often its climate — mild winters are certainly a plus. Texas is second only to Florida as the top state people are moving to, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. More than 120,000 adults moved to Texas in 2022. Even more surprising: the Texas population bump — over 9 million new residents since 2000 — is nearly 3 million more than Florida.
Texas has the largest rural population of any state but it also has the second highest urban population, with over 24 million people in such areas. With activities ranging from hiking 150 miles of trails in Big Bend National Park to riding the coasters at Six Flags, you’re not likely to be bored.
Big city perks include ample culture such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston that curates more than 70,000 works of art. Sports fans can cheer for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys or the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. Those looking for a reprieve from the hustle of Austin or San Antonio can embark on the nearby Peach Blossom Trail.
Best cities to move to in Texas
Our study looks at the best cities in Texas, ranked according to metrics of livability, the quality of schools, activities and walkability. We also figure in life expectancy, hospital quality, crime rates and the risk of severe weather events. Additionally, we examine economic factors such as the unemployment rates and the cost of housing.
The top five cities may be a little unexpected, but low unemployment rates (3.5% or less), great medical care and safety are just some of the reasons they rise to the top. Tyler is No.1, followed by Laredo, New Braunfels, Cedar Park and Temple.
Texas’ biggest hubs, including Dallas and Houston, are in the bottom 15. Houston, while certainly a top city for entertainment, has the second highest crime rate and a competitive housing market, with housing prices 4.3 times higher than median wages, according to our study.
5. Temple
Temple is less than two hours away from most of Texas’ major cities. This former railroad town has the most primary care physicians per capita — 10 per 1,000 residents.
With multiple hospitals and medical research facilities, the healthcare industry is a major employer in the city. The unemployment rate is only 3.4% and real estate is affordable. Temple schools are also among the highest rated in the state.
4. Cedar Park
Less than 20 miles north of trendy downtown Austin, Cedar Park has the lowest crime among all the cities in our top five. The unemployment rate is only 3%, and Cedar Park enjoys a high life expectancy of 81.6 years. Median income is also the highest among our top five at $115,000, with major employers including several manufacturing companies and the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center.
For entertainment, the city is full of microbreweries and also home to two minor league NBA and NHL teams, the Austin Spurs and the Texas Stars.
3. New Braunfels
New Braunfels is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, with a 56.4% population increase from 2010 to 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Located half an hour from San Antonio, New Braunfels attracts residents with its low unemployment rate (3%), a school district rated 9 out of 10 and a low crime rate.
With 1.9 activities for every 1,000 residents, New Braunfels might be the most entertaining city in our top five. It offers tubing on the Guadalupe River and splashing at Schlitterbahn waterpark to beat the humid summers.
2. Laredo
Founded in 1755 as a Spanish settlement, Laredo shares a border with Mexico and still retains its historical feel with Spanish colonial architecture, including adobe houses and mission-style churches. If you’re looking for affordable housing, Laredo offers the lowest rent in our top five, with a typical rent of $1,193 for all home types.
It also improved its safety reputation. NeighborhoodScout reports 16.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Laredo saw more than 5.5 million trucks cross the border in 2022, bringing goods such as auto parts and avocados. As of 2023, it became the nation’s No. 1 international trade port, per U.S. Census Bureau data.
1. Tyler
Named for John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, Tyler is our pick for the best Texas city to live in. Low unemployment (3.3%), access to healthcare (nine providers for every 1,000 residents) and the lowest risk of damage from severe weather all hoist Tyler to the top of our list.
Located in east Texas just an hour from the Louisiana border, Tyler is known as the Rose Capital of America, with several million roses distributed by local companies.
The 14-acre Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, the largest in the nation, has over 38,000 rose bushes and over 600 varieties. Once you’re done smelling the roses, there are plenty of other things to see and do: Tyler boasts 3.3 restaurants and 1.2 activities per 1,000 residents.
Relocating to Texas? Here’s what you need to know
The best cities in Texas offer something for everyone, including Texas barbecue, sports teams, trendy microbreweries and quaint Spanish mission architecture. Our top cities allow for an affordable lifestyle but still offer great medical care and highly rated schools.
If we’ve convinced you that Texas is the best place to hang your cowboy hat, these tips will prepare you for the move:
- Find a job: Major industries for Texas include oil, aerospace, manufacturing and information technology. The Texas Workforce Commission offers resources and listings for State of Texas jobs.
- Register for new services: Finding a school for your kids and registering your vehicle is easy on Texas.gov.
- Get ready for hot weather: The Texan summer heat can easily surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit — this can be a big shock if you’re moving from a northern state. Hurricanes can threaten areas along the coast, so you’ll want to be prepared.
- Save money on your move: A moving budget will help you figure out costs. Start by decluttering and looking for inexpensive (or free) moving supplies. To save the most on your move, call at least three Texas moving companies to get a quote.
Best and worst cities in Texas (full data)
Our methodology
For this study, the research team at USA TODAY Homefront ranked 52 cities in Texas across 18 metrics to determine the best cities to live in. Metrics fall into these categories:
- Walkability score from Walk Score
- School district ratings on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) from NeighborhoodScout
- Number of restaurants from Tripadvisor per 1,000 residents
- Number of activities from Tripadvisor per 1,000 residents
- Estimated primary care providers per 1,000 residents from the U.S. Centers Medicare & Medicaid Services
- County level life expectancies from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s County Health Rankings
- Severe weather events from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Number of violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents from NeighborhoodScout
- National Risk Index scores from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Ratio of home values for single-family homes, condos and co-ops to income from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimate
- Typical rent for all home types using Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI)
- Percentage of renters who pay more than 30% of income to rent (“rent burdened”) from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates
- Median annual homeowners insurance premiums from Quadrant
- Expected annual loss in building damages from natural hazards from the FEMA National Risk Index
- Median income from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates
- Unemployment rates from Texas Labor Market Information/Texas Workforce Commission
- Regional price parity: Values are a percentage of the overall national price level (a lower value is better) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- Percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates
For some metrics, data is only available at the county level. Some cities in Texas (such as Houston and New Braunfels) span multiple counties. For these cities, we consulted sources such as official city webpages to determine the most appropriate county. For cities that are served by multiple school districts, we used the rating from the district serving the most students. Cities are selected based on completeness of data.
Data used from Quadrant is representative of publicly sourced data and should not be interpreted as bindable quotes.
Questions about our study? Please contact Homefront at press@homefront.usatoday.com.
Reference policy
We encourage journalists to share our findings on the best cities in Texas. If you choose to do so, please link back to our original story and credit USA TODAY Homefront for the research.
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