Determining affordability for places in Texas boils down to two factors: You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make to determine affordability. (For smaller urban areas, be sure to read our list of the 12 Cheapest Small Towns in America.). Groceries, utilities, healthcare and miscellaneous goods and services are also bargains, costing anywhere from 5% to 14% less than the U.S. averages. The colonial past and a mixture of Creole, African and Catholic heritage gives Mobile one of the more distinctive cultures of any American city. AreaVibes, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov & Living Cost Org) McAllen, Texas. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-homesnacks_com-leader-1-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'homesnacks_com-leader-1','ezslot_13',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homesnacks_com-leader-1-0'); Population: 9,944Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)Home Price To Income Ratio: 1.7x (22nd most affordable)Income To Rent Ratio: 73.8x (262nd cheapest)More On Vidor: Real Estate|Cost Of Living. Indeed, being among the cheapest U.S. cities to live in means residents of Thomasville-Lexington will find deals on all manner of other goods and services. Weslaco Hills Apartments, 2101 W Business Highway 83, Weslaco, TX 78596. The city was a strategic objective in the Civil War, so history buffs can visit a number of battlefields nearby, too. Which city in Texas has the cheapest cost of living? Based on the median gross rent and annual housing costs for mortgage-paying homeowners of each metro area, these are the cities with the lowest cost of living in the country. Florence native W.C. Cheap prices are attractive, but the allure can fade if jobs are hard to come by, paychecks are small or the area offers little to do. X-Large 2.5M+ Large 1M - 2.5M Medium 500K - 1M Small 50K - 500K. Michigan is among the least tax-friendly states for middle-class families. On the plus side, McAllen is famous for bird watching because of its location on a major migration route. Pharr. Healthcare, however, is slightly pricier than what the typical American pays. Top 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Austin, TX | ZeroDown Residents can enjoy outdoor activities like beaches, marinas, swimming, and various local restaurants and shops. Obviously, when you're dealing with an area this huge, you're going to run into some places that will strip you of your spending power quicker than you can count to three. Is Texas still a cheap place to live? Here's how it compares | Fort It used to be that Joplin, at least to outsiders, was probably best known as a place where Depression-era bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde hid out for a time. The metro area and its abundance of activities and traditions come with affordable living costs, which stand at almost 16% below the national average. You can attend the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or go out for Tex-Mex while still finding a cheap place to live. Its combination of amenities, low cost living, and safety makes it one of the top cheapest small towns to live in Texas. Close proximity to the Arkansas River and Lake Conway makes the city ideal for fishing and water sports, and there's ample space for hunting. Rather, he dollar-cost averages into cheap funds and index funds and holds them forever in tax-advantaged accounts. 3 Stocks to Watch. It was quite difficult to narrow our list down to the top eight places considering how vast and diverse Texas is as the 2nd largest state in the US. But surprisingly, Texas isn't a great place when it comes to taxes. And Southern history buffs will want to stroll through the Hartselle Downtown Commercial Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. So, let's get started. Compare Cost of Living in Texas - Niche The Top 10 Most Affordable Cities in Texas - NewHomeSource Snapshots of Texas: All that remains are cement foundations from the Crystal City Concentration Camp from 1943-1948, housing Japanese and German POWs as well as many Japanese deported from Latin America (mostly Peru). Casa View is one of the cheapest places to live in Dallas. The average living wage in Uvalde County is $75,965 according to MIT data. Heres a look at the most expensive cities in Texas according to the data: Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. The Best Places to Retire in Texas - U.S. News $215+ Studio. Texas staff writer for Only in Your State, blogger for Power of Positivity, and freelance health, wellness, and travel writer. Remember the Alamo if youre looking for one of the most affordable cities in the Lone Star State. The Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, metro area is a manufacturing and agricultural center. Alabama and Texas are just a couple of the Southern states making multiple appearances on our list of the cheapest places to live among U.S. cities. The average home values in Hidalgo are around $150,000 to $160,000, which is still lower than the Texas state average. Meanwhile, the city's poverty rate is nearly double the metro area figure of 10.6%. Center is home to some of the major employers, including Brookshire Brothers, Farmers State Bank, and Panola Community College. Newell Storage - F | 3525 E Main St, Uvalde, TX. "The after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranges from more than twice the national average in Manhattan, New York, to more than 20% below the national average in Harlingen, Texas," notes C2ER. The cost of living statistics are: You can include median home price as a stand alone variable because high home prices generally correlate with higher costs for all goods and services (heating, electricity, food, etc). With residents earning a median income of $58,221, Port Lavaca has a very impressive rent-to-income ratio. Decatur likewise lays claim to a massive corn-processing plant owned by U.K.-based food ingredients company Tate & Lyle (TATYY). Breckenridge The cheapest place to live in Texas is Breckenridge. The crime rate is 54% lower than the Texas average, and the median home price is $165,1000. It sits right on the edge of the stunning, home value in Los Fresnos is over $100,000 cheaper than the Texas state average, with homes costing just $160,000 to $170,000, . A long-time financial journalist, Dan is a veteran of SmartMoney, MarketWatch, CBS MoneyWatch, InvestorPlace and DailyFinance. Amarillo The most populous city in the Texas panhandle, Amarillo is the number one cheapest city to live in Texas. Apartment rents are 22% cheaper than what the typical American pays every month. Harlingen Texarkana Abilene Amarillo Odessa El Paso Lubbock Corpus Christi Pasadena Waco 1. The crime rate is 54% lower than the Texas average, and the median home price is $165,1000. Borger, tx, is a great place to call home for those looking for affordable living. The best affordable places to live in Texas Published: Sept. 9, 2019 at 10:13 a.m. Arkansas also isn't terribly tax-burdensome to retirees. Although Conway's median home value is among the highest on the list of the 25 cheapest U.S. cities, it's still well below the U.S. median, and housing-related costs run 27% below the national average. Transportation and miscellaneous goods and services are likewise comparative bargains, which also help Mobile maintain its place among the top 10 cheapest places to live in the U.S. As a port city, it should come as no surprise that shipbuilder Austal USA is among the area's major employers. The low crime right, affordable housing and rental rates, and the overall quality of life earned Georgetown the top spot on our list. According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Muleshoe has an overall cost of living index of 77 which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100. Major employers include the U.S. Department of Energy, Alcoa (AA) and Covenant Health. The cost of living in Elsa is 25% lower than the Texas average, so youll pay less for things like healthcare, services, and transportation. The city also has its quirks. The city boasts plenty of healthcare facilities specializing in aging-related services. But if you're thinking about relocating to one of these places with the lowest costs of living, just remember to weigh the pros and cons. NY 10036. Today, it is known as the Spinach Capital of the World thanks to its thriving spinach industry. The city of Mobile, Alabama, was founded in 1702 by the French and for the next century served as a colony of France, England and Spain. For example, the metro area's unemployment rate of 3.2% stands below the national rate of 3.6%. Metro-area residents spend 28% less on housing-related costs vs the national average. Best Places to Live Best Places to Retire. From large concerts and sporting events to sleek shopping centers and fancy dining, Dallas does not lack luxurious living. Meanwhile, the city offers several attractions, like the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center, which is now a museum and nature preserve, as well as the 7,000 seat Payne Arena that features concerts, sports, and other live events. Groceries, transportation and healthcare costs are also comparatively modest. We broke our study down into two main categories: We prioritized places that offer a low cost of living, affordable homes, excellent livability, and low crime rates. 20 Cheapest Place in Texas to Buy a House [Cities/Counties] - ElectricRate 749,673) is home to a number of high-tech companies, including information technology firm Insight Enterprises (NSIT). First, we created a database of over 1,200 towns and cities all across Texas. It's only a 25 minute drive to Austin, the crime rate is 35% lower than the state average, and the cost of living is 4.7% less than the national average. Start Your TX Apartment Search How many bedrooms do you need? And you'll save about 14% getting your washer repaired after it inevitably breaks down. But, dont just take our word for it. 1. According to the most recent census data, Lake Highlands looks to be the cheaptest Dallas neighborhood to live in. Earning enough money to buy a home is easy as pie in Kermit, where the home price to income ratio is the fourth lowest in Texas. The metro area supports jobs in plenty of other industries too, including healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Muleshoe Crystal City Center Kermit Vidor Port Lavaca Edna Alamo Borger What's the cheapest place to live in Texas? It is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Farm to Market Road 105, which makes it easy to access nearby cities like Beaumont and Port Arthur. Population: 5,197Rank Last Year: 42 (Up 38)Home Price To Income Ratio: 1.0x (most affordable)Income To Rent Ratio: 67.7x (303rd cheapest)More On Center: Real Estate|Crime Rate|Cost Of Living, Its not easy being greenunless you can save loads of money like you can in Kermit. Known as "The City of Colleges," Conway hosts three post-secondary educational institutions: the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College. We aim to deliver bite-sized pieces of infotainment about where you live. Handy's legacy as the "Father of the Blues" is celebrated with an annual summer festival. And lest anyone forget, the downtown area features a memorial to the legendary singer and songwriter. The home prices in Pharr average around $140,000 to $150,000, which is about $40,000 cheaper than the values in neighboring McAllen. 2023 Suburbs of Austin Area with the Lowest Cost of Living - Niche 2023 Suburbs with the Lowest Cost of Living in the Austin Area Cost of living Best places to live Best for families Most diverse View on map Area type City City neighborhood Suburbs Towns Public schools grade A B C D Cost of living $ $$ $$$ $$$$ Who lives here Families An appointment with an optometrist is 36% less expensive in the city known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas." Pharr is a bustling city near McAllen close to the border with Mexico. Aside from affordability, Vidor has a lot to offer its residents. If You'd Put $1,000 Into Apple Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have Today.

"}}]}. Older folks also benefit from Mississippi's tax-friendly approach to retirees. to its cost of living that is 27% below the Texas average and its excellent safety ratings. Thats more affordable than living in a place with a median income of $50,000 where houses cost $101,000. Top 10 Cheapest places to live in Texas - MovingWaldo Not in. Population: 19,644Rank Last Year: 19 (Up 10)Home Price To Income Ratio: 1.9x (49th most affordable)Income To Rent Ratio: 71.0x (332nd cheapest)More On Alamo: Real Estate|Crime Rate|Cost Of Living. Where is the cheapest place to live in Texas? The county in Texas with the lowest cost of living is Uvalde County. Some top attractions in the area include the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum, and the Hugh Ramsey Nature Park in nearby Harlingen. Rio Grande City starts off our list of the cheapest and safest places to live in Texas for bigger cities.

The county in Texas with the lowest cost of living is Uvalde County. The city is home to Washburn University and the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, but there are plenty of less high-falutin attractions, as well. Be sure to check out more great cities in Texas that weve picked out to get some more inspiration for your next move. Population: 5,783Rank Last Year: 2 (Up 1)Home Price To Income Ratio: 1.3x (2nd most affordable)Income To Rent Ratio: 74.6x (43rd cheapest)More On Elsa: Real Estate|Cost Of Living. The median income of a Texas household is $63,826. Well the median home price is $82,100, while the towns median income is $63,871. Overall housing costs run 17% below the national average, but residents also catch big breaks on transportation, healthcare, groceries and miscellaneous goods and services. The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Have 3 New Members. For more information on how we rank, read theBest Places to Live methodology. Prices on a wide range of goods and services, from pizza to haircuts to dry cleaning, are less expensive, too. Settling down in one of the cities below could do wonders for your wallet. The city and greater metro area has since recovered from the costliest single tornado in modern U.S. history, helped by its status as a regional medical center. Texas is one of the most affordable states to settle down in the entire country, which means people have been moving here by the thousands to take advantage of it. Need to get your eyes checked? Average 2-BR rent . With a median home price of $299,840 and a median rent of $1,333, Duncanville is the cheapest city on our list. Just because Elsa is cheap, dont think that it skimps on quality. The average home value in Texas is $187,200, almost 4.1 times higher than Marlin. The bottom 10 could surprise you. Edna ranks as the 11th best in the state for the ratio of home price to income. The cost of living here is 5.5% less than the national average. Dan Burrows is Kiplinger's senior investing writer, having joined the august publication full time in 2016. For Anyone Looking To Relocate To Texas: These Are The Most - TheTravel He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Consumer Reports, Senior Executive and Boston magazine, and his stories have appeared in the New York Daily News, the San Jose Mercury News and Investor's Business Daily, among other publications. Combes is a small town in South Texas that is about 30 minutes away from Brownsville. The average house price of $310,017 is $142,000 below the national average. Travel, for example we find the cheapest places to visit around the world this summer. Despite inflation, there are some areas where the strong dollar will definitely work in your favor. Although most of the cheapest cities are in Northern Texas, if you are looking for that beach town, you still have plenty of options. Home prices are steep in Edna, with a median price tag of $92,000. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question", "name": "What county in Texas has the lowest cost of living? As is typically the case, affordable housing leads the way in keeping costs in check. The cost of living here is cheap, with average home values that are, around $90,000 to $100,000, according to Zillow, crime rates that are 51% lower than the national average. Sounds like a win-win to me. Amazon Prime And it all comes in an affordable package. The quiet community of Hidalgo tops our list as the cheapest and safest place to live in Texas. Located just 20 minutes southeast of Tyler, you will quickly fall in love with this charming East Texas town. #15 Suburbs with the Lowest Cost of Living in Dallas-Fort Worth Area. Today, sadly, Joplin is perhaps better known for tornadoes, such as the deadly storm that destroyed about 30% of the city in 2011. Pasadina. The average home value in Los Fresnos is over $100,000 cheaper than the Texas state average, with homes costing just $160,000 to $170,000. The Lucy Park features a duck pond, a frisbee golf course, and picnic areas. Port Lavaca also offers an excellent quality of life. 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At the same time, the cost of living runs almost 15% lower than the national average. 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Texas: A Guide - UpNest Once upon a time before his days as a financial reporter and assistant financial editor at legendary fashion trade paper Women's Wear Daily Dan worked for Spy magazine, scribbled away at Time Inc. and contributed to Maxim magazine back when lad mags were a thing. You then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in Texas to figure out which is the least expensive. Another fairly small town located in the hill country, Cedar Park boasts a low crime rate, an average summer temperature of only 83 degrees, and a graduation rate of 93%. Then, we filtered the list to only include places that had a cost of living and crime rates lower than the Texas state averages using official data from the government and the FBI via AreaVibes. Can you really blame them, though? Utilities are another outsized bargain at 15% less than what the average American pays. Its two major hospitals serve a four-state area that includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Unemployment rate: 4.6%. It's also filled with activities, including 9 million square feet full of shopping and restaurants, the Dallas Star Complex,. Decatur, Illinois, and its surrounding metro area is probably best known as an agricultural and manufacturing center. 1. What county in Texas has the lowest cost of living? 9 Cheapest Places to Retire in Texas in 2023 - Strategistico Healthcare costs, however, run in line with the U.S. average. Indeed, in Thomasville-Lexington, overall housing costs are 39% lower than what the typical American pays. Finally, we split our list into two categories to give you the best opportunity to find a place that suits your preferences. The Tennessee River runs through downtown. We hope these lists of the cheapest and safest towns and cities in Texas to live in have given you some insight into which places across The Lone Star State can provide you with an affordable and safe community. Yet you can drive to the state capital of Little Rock in a half-hour or so. Population: 11,654Rank Last Year: 17 (Up 10)Home Price To Income Ratio: 1.9x (37th most affordable)Income To Rent Ratio: 81.0x (153rd cheapest)More On Port Lavaca: Real Estate|Cost Of Living. 1. But this city is more Quad Cities, IA-IL (Davenport-Bettendorf, IA & Moline-Rock Island, IL). Texas . It's home to the world's largest office chair a 33-foot-tall seat that was once recognized by Guinness World Records. Another downside? Published 1 September 22. Located in western Texas near the New Mexico border, Muleshoe ranks as the second most affordable city in the state. How does a state with no income tax at all not end up on the "most tax-friendly" list? 67 Best Dividend Stocks You Can Count On in 2023. Tucked away in steamy Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles is steeped in Creole and Cajun culture. The 7 Most Affordable Places to Live in Texas - Wide Open Country Dont miss local favorites like Harleys Beer Garden and the Little Graceland Museum, either. Folks in Vidor earn a median income of $53,091, which gives Phillipsburg the 22nd lowest home price to income ratio in texas. This is one of the larger cities on our list with just over 83,000 people, but its high graduation rates, high income per capita, sunny weather year round, and close proximity to both Houston and Galveston earned it a spot on our list. Cities with the Best Home Price to Income Ratio. Augusta-Aiken's cost of living runs 15.5% below the U.S. average, helped by housing costs that are 30% less than what the typical American pays. Sportier types can take advantage of the many waterfront parks and a 67-mile bike trail running to Cedar Rapids. Meanwhile, a well-rounded metro-area economy helps folks find jobs in a wide range of industries. Crime has even decreased 17% in the last year, making it one of the top cheap small towns in Texas to relocate to with your family. Wichita Falls is the cheapest place in Texas to buy a house. The average home value in Texas is $187,200, almost 4.1 times higher than Marlin. All rights reserved. 9 Pecos, Texas Is In Your Budget And Rapidly Growing If you are looking for a life in Texas as well as a life that doesn't stretch your pockets out, Pecos, Texas, is another excellent option. However, jobs abound in healthcare, high tech and engineering too. FAQ on The Most Affordable Places to Live in Texas Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. 10 Pros and Cons of Living in El Paso, Texas in 2023, The 8 Best Small Towns to Retire in Texas 2023 Update, 7 Best Places to Live in Texas Hill Country Top Small Towns & Big Cities. The presence of so many major corporations and universities helps the metro area boast a median household income that's higher than the national median, and yet overall housing costs run about a quarter less than the national average. Be forewarned, however, that Oklahoma is not tax-friendly for middle-class families and presents a mixed tax picture for retirees. Although the income picture could be brighter, Anniston has its charms, including Victorian homes and historic churches among other architectural gems.