Rachel Newcomb is a contributing writer and publishes articles on personal finance, society, sustainability and the housing market. Her articles have appeared in Architectural Digest, MarketWatch, Washington Post, MoneyGeek and USA TODAY. She has a real estate license in the state of Florida and loves to follow housing market trends. Rachel is based in Orlando where she works as a cultural anthropology professor at Rollins College. She has a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in anthropology from Princeton.
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Florida checks off a lot of boxes: year-round warm weather, sunshine and palm trees. It’s no surprise then, that from 2010 to 2022, Florida’s population increased by 18%, making it the third largest state by population in the United States. While the Sunshine State has mass appeal, each region has its own perks and downside.…
Long-distance moves take more than one day due to the drive time. These moves often come with unique challenges, such as vehicle shipping, storage for your belongings between homes and transporting antiques or fragile items. Hiring a professional moving company for long-distance moves — especially if it’s cross-country — saves you the hassle of dealing with…
Moving is one of life’s top stressors. In Texas, even a move from Dallas to San Antonio is a huge undertaking. Luckily, you’re not in it alone. The Lone Star State is home to dozens of quality movers that will treat your prized possessions with care and smooth out the logistics. We recommend starting your…