Finding the best place to live in the U.S. depends on what each individual family needs are. It’s not always easy to decide on the best city to relocate to, and many states have some amazing options to brag about. Still, the Lone Star State has an incredible appeal brought about by a combination of attractive factors.
When it comes to the best cities to live in Texas, many families are interested in the state’s strong economic perspective that brings along a strong and stable job market. Young families and professionals are drawn to this like moths to a flame, and it’s easy to see why. But that’s not all that Texas has to offer. Given the state’s low cost of living and high quality of life, we can not be surprised by the rapid population growth experienced by the best cities to live in Texas. In fact, Texas experienced one of the highest population growth rates in the country.
You are not alone if you’ve decided to try the Lone Star State. There are many great cities to live in in Texas, and we completely understand if it’s not easy for you to figure out which fits your and your family’s needs the best. As the largest U.S. state, we are aware that this may be a difficult choice to make. There’s no shortage of places to choose from. But worry not. We’re here to help. Up next, you’ll find the best places to live in Texas and a few reasons why they attract so many new people every year.
1. Austin, TX – the best place to live for young professionals
- Population: 996,000
- Median home value: $677,000
- Median household income: $110,000
- Walk score: 42
- Transit score: 35
- Bike score: 54
Recent college graduates find Austin to be the best place to live in Texas for two main reasons. You can’t think of the city of Austin, Texas, without acknowledging the thriving nightlife that’s a given in the live music capital of the world. For those who want to enjoy the prime of their life, there are plenty of clubs, bars, and event venues to give you ample entertainment options to choose from. For a particularly electrifying nightlife, you shouldn’t miss the famous Sixth Street that lights up every night with neon signs and ensures a good time where rowdy crowds get to enjoy tons of drink specials and more live music than you can handle in one night. Young adults are thriving in the city’s vibrant lifestyle, but the second reason is the cherry on top of a great Lone Star cake.
The city’s thriving economy reached Money[dot]com as they ranked Austin, Texas, as the best city in the country due to its strong job market and economy. The city’s unemployment rate was at 2.7% in 2019, and the COVID pandemic did not affect it as of May of 2022, it remained at 2.7%. Job opportunities continue to increase, and there’s a predicted 43% growth over the next decade as far as realtors in Austin TX gathered. The only drawback may be the relatively high rent and home purchase prices, but the above-average median household income maintains a balanced cost of living.
2. Dallas, TX – among the most diverse places to live
- Population: 1,356,000
- Median home value: $337,000
- Median household income: $72,000
- Walk score: 46
- Transit score: 39
- Bike score: 49
As part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, also known as DFW, the city of Dallas, Texas sits at the center of it all and leads the area as the economic center. Throughout the city, you won’t find it difficult to come across many Fortune 500 companies and other big businesses that maintain the city’s and area’s thriving economy. All of these companies are attracted by the city’s corporate-friendly environment as it provides some of the best job opportunities in the entire Lone Star State. The leading industries in the city are finance and tech, which, aside from providing some incredible and abundant employment opportunities, also create fierce competition among these companies. Forbes, actually, dubbed the city the most competitive job market in the entirety of the U.S and real estate agents in Dallas TX couldn’t agree more.
The city’s incredible diversity makes it stand on the same level as Houston on our list, even if it’s not as big as the following city. With cultural diversity, you can also expect a wide variety of cuisines throughout the city’s many restaurants. Still, the best way to explore this incredible assortment of mouthwatering foods is the Texas State Fair which was recognized as the 7th best fair in the U.S. If you need to choose between Dallas and Houston, which is next on our list (it wasn’t easy to choose which is best out of the two for us either), you should look at the job industries. Dallas leans more towards the thriving banking and finance industries giving ample growth opportunities in the job market. Also, sports play an important role in the city’s vibrant life but based on the comparison between Dallas and Houston. It comes down to the teams you gush over, as both have six major professional teams to choose from.
3. Houston, TX – among the most diverse places to live
- Population: 2,346,000
- Median home value: $677,000
- Median household income: $80,000
- Walk score: 47
- Transit score: 36
- Bike score: 49
The fourth largest city in the U.S. comes in on an equal level, with Dallas as the two triumphs in diversity, food assortments, sports teams, and thriving job markets. While Dallas prides itself on the Texas State Fair, Houston hosts a number of food festivals that are spread throughout the year and cover most of the city’s map. In the city of Houston, TX, you’ll be able to enjoy an amazing Barbeque festival during one weekend but be blown away by an African food festival the next. Getting the opportunity to enjoy the best foods from different cultures around the world in one city is quite amazing, which is why Houston is seen as a foodie’s paradise.
For a more profound type of cultural development, you should stop by the Museum district and enjoy the city’s crown jewel. Besides the 19 museums that celebrate culture and arts in various forms and styles, you can also enjoy the Houston Zoo with all its animals and habitats that children are bound to love. As we mentioned before, the city’s job market is thriving, but unlike Dallas, it focuses on two different industries. For that reason alone, we simply couldn’t decide which one is better, but you might have a better chance if you contact realtors in Houston TX, and as Houston’s thriving industries are Oil and Gas, which are different from the ones in Dallas, maybe you’ll find a better fit here.
4. San Antonio, TX – the best public schools
- Population: 1,456,000
- Median home value: $301,000
- Median household income: $68,000
- Walk score: 37
- Transit score: 31
- Bike score: 45
If you’re looking for a slower paced lifestyle and to fully immerse inTexan culture, then San Antonio is the place for you. It’ll be a thrill for you to discover that the city of San Antonio, Texas embodies everything related to that Texan hospitality that people have heard about even across the pond. While San Antonio is among the biggest cities in the Lone Star state, the locals pride themselves on the small-town feel that, coupled with the big town feel creates a community vibe like none other.
Compared to other similar sized texan cities, San Antonio gives its residents the thrill of a low cost of living and a robust economy that attracts many young families. But if you add the high-quality education system in the city you get the perfect combination to drive the city’s growth as one of the best places to live in Texas for families. The military industry provides ample opportunities for careers and the strong defense sector makes it ideal for military personnel. Still, it is food that makes San Antonio one of the best places to live in Texas. The combination of Mexican and Latin food variation makes this city a star for foodies. If you decide to move here after talking with real estate agents in San Antonio TX you’ll be able to enjoy the River Walk, one of the city’s most prized destinations. The waterfront walkways are ideal for joggers or those looking for some breathtaking views.
5. Fort Worth, TX – among the most diverse places to live
- Population: 954,000
- Median home value: $333,000
- Median household income: $64,000
- Walk score: 35
- Transit score: 22
- Bike score: 39
The former cowboy trading post turned over a new leaf and became the modern city of Fort Worth, Texas, packed with cultural hotspots, world-class museums and music festivals that showcase the best of the area’s diversity. So strap on your cowboy boots and contact realtors in Fort Worth TX, while the city maintains its major city status without being as crowded as Dallas. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this and Dallas are the same, because they each have their own role, characteristic and flavor, being independent municipalities despite their proximity.
New residential communities are popping up all over the place proving the city’s standing as the 5th biggest city in Texas. The city’s diversity makes it one of the best places to live in Texas for young families and professionals. Sprinkle that great education system and thriving job market and it becomes ideal you would say. The city’s connectivity to Dallas’s downtown area comes from the commuter rail lines and TEXRail system, but you can also find van service and carpool options if you want to take a group party for a night out in the neighboring sister city.
6. Plano, TX – the best suburb for young professionals
- Population: 290,000
- Median home value: $550,000
- Median household income: $108,000
- Walk score: 41
- Transit score: 15
- Bike score: 52
Many young professionals that commute for work in Dallas, TX, choose the much smaller suburb of Plano, TX. If you’re planning to start a family anytime soon and want to be a bit closer to the big city, contact real estate agents in Plano TX, for the best home for your growing family. The strong community of commuters to Dallas doesn’t mean that Plano’s job market isn’t thriving. The opportunities, simply put, are different in the bigger city. It depends on your career direction and plans.
This combination attracts many people in Plano, Texas, and WalletHub even named it the happiest city in the U.S., considering things like income and employment, emotional and physical well-being, environment, and community. The city’s pristine parks provide many open green spaces, but Arbor Hills Preserve is out of this world, especially for nature lovers. With lovely local restaurants and many entertainment options in Plano’s downtown area, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best places to live in Texas.
7. Frisco, TX – the best suburb to raise a family
- Population: 217,000
- Median home value: $715,000
- Median household income: $142,000
- Walk score: 25
- Transit score: Not available
- Bike score: 39
This lovely little Texas jem is a personal favorite and it just so happens that it is also considered one of the best places to live by Money Magazine. The bustling urban amenities retain little of the sleepy farm town that was Frisco just a few decades ago. Still, it’s precisely this that attracts so many young families in this town. With it’s 49 parks that span across 1,370 acres provides many outdoor activities fit for families with young children. It’s no wonder it’s the best suburb in Texas to raise a family.
The city of Frisco, Texas is still developing, growing, and evolving and there’s plenty of room for that as there are hundreds of acres of land ready for future projects. But don’t think that you won’t have anything to do in the city. Its small town feel comes along with dozens of quirky restaurants, each with its own story and flavor. But that’s not all. The city’s expected job growth is expected somewhere around 15% in the next few years so realtors in Frisco TX have plenty of work cut out for them. The high-quality education, job growth and lovely atmosphere attracts many young families and professionals that want to plant their roots in this suburban heaven.
Conclusion
Simply put, you can’t go wrong with any of these Texan cities. Each thrive in their own way and have many things to offer to old and young residents that choose the Lone Star State as their place of residence. The biggest U.S. state doesn’t shy away from opportunities, accelerated growth rates and a push towards the benefits and rights of all it’s residents, making it stand out brighter than ever. It’s easy for people to think that they have Texas all figured out, but this old southern state has many cards left to play and, who knows, it may draw even more attention in the future.
Let us know in the comment section below if there’s anything that you’d like us to clarify about any of these cities. Tell us your pick and we can help you along with even more information if you’re still not 100% sure about your choice. Like & Share this article with friends and family so they also help you pick your future home, or simply to inform them where you decided to move for future reference.
