Best places to live in Texas
We cover 57 places in Texas, home to 15.62 million residents. The largest is Houston (2.4 million), the fastest growing since 2020 is Georgetown (+58.5%), and the lowest metro price level is in McAllen (85.9). Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined sales tax is 8.2%.
Best places to live in Texas, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Texas means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leander | 76 | 3.6× | $139,048 | +53.8% | 29 min | 6 |
| 2 | The Woodlands | 70 | 3.6× | $140,701 | n/a | 27 min | 6 |
| 3 | Mansfield | 70 | 3.4× | $121,126 | +16.3% | 29 min | 4 |
| 4 | Flower Mound | 70 | 3.5× | $161,235 | +4.7% | 26 min | 4 |
| 5 | McKinney | 69 | 3.8× | $124,215 | +20.8% | 28 min | 4 |
| 6 | Allen | 69 | 3.5× | $130,901 | +8.4% | 28 min | 4 |
| 7 | Round Rock | 68 | 4.2× | $99,287 | +18.2% | 25 min | 5 |
| 8 | Cedar Park | 68 | 4.0× | $129,545 | +1.8% | 26 min | 6 |
| 9 | Pearland | 67 | 3.0× | $118,842 | +1.8% | 33 min | 5 |
| 10 | Missouri City | 67 | 3.3× | $94,390 | +4.2% | 30 min | 6 |
| 11 | New Braunfels | 66 | 3.9× | $86,021 | +35.5% | 27 min | 5 |
| 12 | League City | 66 | 3.0× | $121,099 | +4.9% | 30 min | 3 |
| 13 | Frisco | 65 | 4.3× | $150,212 | +18.2% | 29 min | 3 |
| 14 | Sugar Land | 65 | 3.2× | $136,217 | -3% | 29 min | 6 |
| 15 | Midland | 64 | 3.6× | $89,585 | +11.1% | 20 min | 3 |
| 16 | Tyler | 64 | 3.5× | $67,486 | +7.4% | 20 min | 5 |
| 17 | Lewisville | 63 | 4.2× | $89,233 | +10.6% | 25 min | 4 |
| 18 | Georgetown | 63 | 4.5× | $95,062 | +58.5% | 28 min | 5 |
| 19 | Abilene | 61 | 2.9× | $62,648 | +5.3% | 16 min | 4 |
| 20 | Mission | 61 | 2.9× | $60,767 | +3.7% | 21 min | 6 |
| 21 | San Angelo | 60 | 2.8× | $65,864 | +0.7% | 19 min | 4 |
| 22 | Temple | 60 | 3.5× | $68,204 | +19.7% | 21 min | 4 |
| 23 | Corpus Christi | 59 | 3.1× | $67,394 | -0.3% | 21 min | 7 |
| 24 | Plano | 59 | 4.2× | $112,253 | +2.6% | 25 min | 3 |
| 25 | San Antonio | 58 | 3.6× | $65,056 | +8% | 25 min | 6 |
| 26 | Fort Worth | 58 | 3.8× | $79,507 | +11.9% | 27 min | 5 |
| 27 | Laredo | 58 | 3.0× | $63,915 | +5.6% | 22 min | 5 |
| 28 | Carrollton | 58 | 3.8× | $101,396 | +0.8% | 24 min | 3 |
| 29 | Odessa | 58 | 3.0× | $73,472 | +7.2% | 22 min | 3 |
| 30 | Lubbock | 57 | 3.5× | $60,895 | +6.2% | 16 min | 4 |
| 31 | Amarillo | 57 | 3.0× | $65,912 | +2.4% | 20 min | 4 |
| 32 | Brownsville | 57 | 2.7× | $52,130 | +3.6% | 21 min | 6 |
| 33 | McAllen | 57 | 3.1× | $61,579 | +5.9% | 22 min | 5 |
| 34 | Edinburg | 57 | 3.2× | $59,466 | +10.4% | 22 min | 5 |
| 35 | Grand Prairie | 56 | 3.6× | $81,619 | +6.8% | 28 min | 4 |
| 36 | Bryan | 56 | 3.8× | $59,289 | +9.6% | 19 min | 5 |
| 37 | Austin | 55 | 5.9× | $93,658 | +4.6% | 24 min | 6 |
| 38 | Denton | 53 | 4.6× | $76,019 | +21.1% | 24 min | 4 |
| 39 | Irving | 52 | 3.9× | $81,830 | +0.1% | 24 min | 4 |
| 40 | Conroe | 52 | 4.1× | $76,206 | +33% | 29 min | 3 |
| 41 | Wichita Falls | 52 | 2.6× | $60,177 | -0.3% | 14 min | 3 |
| 42 | Pharr | 52 | 2.3× | $52,814 | +1.4% | 21 min | 5 |
| 43 | Waco | 51 | 4.1× | $54,365 | +5.5% | 19 min | 5 |
| 44 | Richardson | 51 | 4.4× | $98,111 | -0.8% | 24 min | 3 |
| 45 | Longview | 50 | 3.2× | $63,340 | +1.8% | 21 min | 3 |
| 46 | Killeen | 49 | 3.5× | $60,977 | +5.7% | 26 min | 4 |
| 47 | Arlington | 48 | 4.1× | $75,171 | +2% | 27 min | 4 |
| 48 | El Paso | 47 | 3.1× | $59,745 | +0.6% | 23 min | 4 |
| 49 | Pasadena | 47 | 3.2× | $64,927 | -2.2% | 27 min | 6 |
| 50 | Beaumont | 47 | 2.9× | $56,997 | -1.8% | 20 min | 4 |
| 51 | Houston | 46 | 4.3× | $64,813 | +4.2% | 27 min | 6 |
| 52 | Garland | 45 | 3.5× | $76,320 | +1.4% | 30 min | 3 |
| 53 | Mesquite | 42 | 3.4× | $72,537 | +0.3% | 32 min | 3 |
| 54 | Baytown | 41 | 3.3× | $59,910 | +1.2% | 25 min | 2 |
| 55 | Dallas | 40 | 4.5× | $70,518 | +1.9% | 26 min | 3 |
| 56 | College Station | 39 | 6.8× | $50,900 | +5.8% | 17 min | 5 |
| 57 | San Marcos | 38 | 6.1× | $51,281 | +14.9% | 24 min | 5 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Texas
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2,397,315 | +4.2% | $277,800 | $1,361 | $64,813 | 98.6 | 64° | 95° |
| San Antonio | 1,548,422 | +8% | $235,700 | $1,324 | $65,056 | 94.7 | 63° | 95° |
| Dallas | 1,329,491 | +1.9% | $320,700 | $1,472 | $70,518 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| Fort Worth | 1,028,117 | +11.9% | $303,000 | $1,509 | $79,507 | 103.1 | 56° | 96° |
| Austin | 1,002,632 | +4.6% | $555,300 | $1,729 | $93,658 | 98.1 | 63° | 97° |
| El Paso | 683,012 | +0.6% | $184,500 | $1,073 | $59,745 | 89.9 | 59° | 96° |
| Arlington | 402,134 | +2% | $304,700 | $1,470 | $75,171 | 103.1 | 57° | 96° |
| Corpus Christi | 317,247 | -0.3% | $210,400 | $1,292 | $67,394 | 92.7 | 68° | 94° |
| Plano | 293,028 | +2.6% | $465,900 | $1,841 | $112,253 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| Lubbock | 273,071 | +6.2% | $212,400 | $1,182 | $60,895 | 91.3 | 55° | 93° |
| Laredo | 269,515 | +5.6% | $193,500 | $1,030 | $63,915 | 87.0 | 68° | 100° |
| Irving | 257,076 | +0.1% | $315,600 | $1,619 | $81,830 | 103.1 | 57° | 96° |
| Garland | 249,625 | +1.4% | $270,800 | $1,641 | $76,320 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| Frisco | 236,955 | +18.2% | $642,100 | $2,014 | $150,212 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| McKinney | 236,001 | +20.8% | $471,800 | $1,901 | $124,215 | 103.1 | 56° | 95° |
| Grand Prairie | 209,434 | +6.8% | $295,500 | $1,629 | $81,619 | 103.1 | 57° | 96° |
| Amarillo | 205,130 | +2.4% | $196,900 | $1,092 | $65,912 | 91.8 | 52° | 93° |
| Brownsville | 192,957 | +3.6% | $139,900 | $923 | $52,130 | 86.0 | 73° | 95° |
| Denton | 169,431 | +21.1% | $348,200 | $1,420 | $76,019 | 103.1 | 56° | 96° |
| Killeen | 161,883 | +5.7% | $215,400 | $1,208 | $60,977 | 91.1 | 60° | 96° |
| Mesquite | 150,693 | +0.3% | $245,700 | $1,513 | $72,537 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| McAllen | 150,640 | +5.9% | $190,400 | $1,049 | $61,579 | 85.9 | 73° | 99° |
| Pasadena | 148,539 | -2.2% | $209,600 | $1,213 | $64,927 | 98.6 | 64° | 93° |
| Waco | 147,788 | +5.5% | $221,700 | $1,165 | $54,365 | 92.6 | 59° | 97° |
| Midland | 147,615 | +11.1% | $319,200 | $1,434 | $89,585 | 95.8 | 59° | 96° |
| Round Rock | 141,282 | +18.2% | $418,600 | $1,763 | $99,287 | 98.1 | 60° | 96° |
| Lewisville | 139,006 | +10.6% | $378,500 | $1,670 | $89,233 | 103.1 | 57° | 96° |
| Carrollton | 134,562 | +0.8% | $381,000 | $1,735 | $101,396 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| Abilene | 131,588 | +5.3% | $183,700 | $1,157 | $62,648 | 90.4 | 59° | 96° |
| Pearland | 129,930 | +1.8% | $356,300 | $1,860 | $118,842 | 98.6 | 65° | 93° |
| College Station | 127,472 | +5.8% | $346,700 | $1,194 | $50,900 | 91.0 | 62° | 95° |
| Odessa | 122,707 | +7.2% | $223,100 | $1,315 | $73,472 | 93.9 | 59° | 96° |
| New Braunfels | 122,492 | +35.5% | $339,400 | $1,654 | $86,021 | 94.7 | 64° | 96° |
| The Woodlands | 121,002 | n/a | $511,700 | $1,822 | $140,701 | 98.6 | 64° | 95° |
| League City | 119,905 | +4.9% | $360,000 | $1,684 | $121,099 | 98.6 | 64° | 92° |
| Conroe | 119,564 | +33% | $309,600 | $1,393 | $76,206 | 98.6 | 62° | 94° |
| Richardson | 118,542 | -0.8% | $431,400 | $1,857 | $98,111 | 103.1 | 58° | 97° |
| Tyler | 113,723 | +7.4% | $235,300 | $1,252 | $67,486 | 92.2 | 58° | 94° |
| Allen | 113,447 | +8.4% | $464,100 | $1,932 | $130,901 | 103.1 | 56° | 95° |
| Beaumont | 112,967 | -1.8% | $166,400 | $1,121 | $56,997 | 90.0 | 63° | 92° |
| Edinburg | 110,700 | +10.4% | $189,600 | $996 | $59,466 | 85.9 | 72° | 98° |
| Sugar Land | 107,726 | -3% | $430,200 | $1,957 | $136,217 | 98.6 | 64° | 95° |
| Georgetown | 106,907 | +58.5% | $429,100 | $1,795 | $95,062 | 98.1 | 60° | 96° |
| Wichita Falls | 101,951 | -0.3% | $156,800 | $1,022 | $60,177 | 89.5 | 55° | 97° |
| San Angelo | 100,640 | +0.7% | $187,600 | $1,153 | $65,864 | 92.5 | 61° | 97° |
| Temple | 98,412 | +19.7% | $239,000 | $1,231 | $68,204 | 91.1 | 60° | 95° |
| Bryan | 91,996 | +9.6% | $227,800 | $1,195 | $59,289 | 91.0 | 62° | 95° |
| Leander | 91,132 | +53.8% | $506,200 | $1,939 | $139,048 | 98.1 | 63° | 97° |
| Mission | 88,992 | +3.7% | $175,700 | $950 | $60,767 | 85.9 | 69° | 95° |
| Baytown | 86,561 | +1.2% | $197,300 | $1,307 | $59,910 | 98.6 | 63° | 92° |
| Mansfield | 84,444 | +16.3% | $410,700 | $1,954 | $121,126 | 103.1 | 58° | 96° |
| Longview | 83,236 | +1.8% | $202,600 | $1,101 | $63,340 | 89.5 | 57° | 93° |
| Pharr | 80,830 | +1.4% | $121,900 | $1,037 | $52,814 | 85.9 | 73° | 99° |
| Flower Mound | 79,540 | +4.7% | $560,200 | $2,231 | $161,235 | 103.1 | 57° | 96° |
| Cedar Park | 79,032 | +1.8% | $513,600 | $1,846 | $129,545 | 98.1 | 63° | 97° |
| San Marcos | 77,830 | +14.9% | $310,400 | $1,322 | $51,281 | 98.1 | 63° | 96° |
| Missouri City | 77,327 | +4.2% | $311,400 | $1,931 | $94,390 | 98.6 | 64° | 95° |
Taxes in Texas
Texas does not tax wage income. The state sales tax is 6.25%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 8.2%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.
Top parks and sights in Texas
The Texas parks, museums, landmarks and natural wonders people know best. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Big Bend National Park National park
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park National park
- USS Lexington Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum
- Dallas Museum of Art Museum
- Kimbell Art Museum Museum
- Devils River State Natural Area Dark sky park
Places from Wikidata (CC0), ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover them.
Compare Texas cities
Houston vs San AntonioHouston vs DallasHouston vs Fort WorthHouston vs AustinHouston vs El PasoHouston vs Arlington