Moving to Texas: 3 Things To Know Before You Go

Texas is a culturally rich state with something for everyone. Here are some pros, cons, and insider tips to help anyone considering moving to Texas.

Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S., and it has big personalities to match.

The state has room for many eclectic cities with vastly different feels. Whether you’re looking for a progressive outpost with an energetic live music scene, a luxurious suburb, or something in between, there’s a place for you in Texas.

Here’s everything you need to know before moving to Texas, including the pros and cons of life in the Lone Star State and what awaits you in its major cities.

Is Texas a Good Place To Live?

Texas is a great place to live. It’s a culturally diverse state with a reasonable cost of living and plenty to do, making it an excellent choice if you’re seeking a high quality of life on a moderate budget.

That said, do your homework before packing up the U-Haul. Big cities have higher costs of living, so make sure your current earnings are enough to let you thrive. And be honest with yourself about whether Texas’s unique draw appeals to you. This state could be a good fit if you like exploring diverse cultural offerings and foodie scenes — and you don’t mind some challenging hot weather. If you prefer a milder climate or don’t love Southern culture, Texas might not be suitable for your move.

Pros and Cons of Living in Texas

Whether you should move to Texas depends on what you value in a living area, and making a pros and cons list can help. Here’s everything you need to know about the perks and drawbacks of Texas life.

Pros of Living in Texas

Exciting cities, unique cuisine, and endless cultural and natural attractions are enough to make anyone consider calling this home. But here are a few more reasons to move to Texas:

Taxes Are Moderate

Texas has low local, state, and sales tax rates. State sales and use taxes are around 6%, and no city can impose a local tax rate above roughly 8%. And Texas has no income tax, so you won’t have to figure state retentions into your paychecks.

There’s a Thriving Job Market

Texas’s job market is better than ever, with new jobs cropping up rapidly. The service, education, and healthcare sectors are particularly booming, making Texas a hotspot for anyone in related professions.

Real Estate Prices Are Within Reach

Texas housing prices generally fall in the $200,000 to $400,000 range. To contextualize these figures, the median house price in the U.S. is over $400,000, and in states like California, costs soar to over $800,000.

Cons of Living in Texas

The saying may go, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” but is everything better, too? Here are a few of the pitfalls of life in Texas:

You Need a Car

Texas is an expansive state, and there aren’t always public transportation options for traveling long distances — even if you’re just trying to get from home to work. You generally need a car unless you’re in a big city. And thanks to all the drivers on the road, traffic is an issue in populated areas.

The Weather Can Be Intense

Texas has a hot, humid climate during the summer, which can be uncomfortable for some. Plus, the region is prone to intense weather, like hurricanes, tornadoes, and torrential downpours. Wildfires and floods are also hazards.

3 Things To Know Before Moving to Texas

Texas is about more than its heat and economy. Here are three things anyone considering the move should know:

It Has the Longest Light Rail in the U.S.

Dallas, Texas’s above-ground transport train — the DART light rail — covers more mileage than any other of its kind in the country. If you’re considering relocating to Dallas and not keen on having a car, you’ll have an efficient, eco-conscious way to get around.

It’s Full of Foodies

Texas is a national hotspot for cuisine. Austin is home to an unparalleled barbecue scene, with James Beard Award-winning chefs serving up some of the finest smoked meats in the country. And Austin and many other Texas cities offer creative and traditional takes on Mexican cuisine.

If Mexican and barbecue aren’t your thing, there are plenty more flavors to explore, like Asian, New American, and Southern. Try a bit of everything at a farmers’ market or food truck park — both of which are popular in Texas.

It’s an Outdoorsy State

Texas has two national parks and 14 protected areas, offering its inhabitants plenty of natural wonders to explore. From dreamy shores (like Padre Island) to massive mountain ranges (like Big Bend), the state has something for every outdoorsy individual — including ones who prefer to hang out on a float in a swimming hole. 

No matter where you live, you won’t have to go far to enjoy natural attractions. Texas cities are full of walking and biking trails and waterways, and there are plenty of hiking trails on the outskirts. 

The 3 Best Places To Live in Texas

Start your big adventure right by landing in the best city for you. Moving to any of the following three metropolitan areas puts you in the action — steps away from Texan eateries, cultural sites, and scenery.

Austin

Average cost of living: $4,400 per month

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, but it also informally takes the titles for the farmers market and barbecue capitals. Not to mention it’s the capital of the state.

This city focuses on food and drink, community, and being unique — or, as Austinites like to say, “weird.” Austin is the perfect place for progressive folks who like to spend their weekends drinking craft cocktails and beer, checking out indie music shows, and food-truck-hopping. It’s also an excellent location for outdoorsy types, as it’s full of hiking trails and swimming holes.

Explore Austin from a cozy, aesthetically pleasing home base with Landing, which rents over 100 living spaces in the city’s best areas.

Dallas

Average cost of living: $3,300 per month

Home to over a million people, Dallas is a bustling metropolis in Northern Texas. It’s known for world-class museums, stunning botanical gardens, and family attractions like Legoland. Plus, Dallas has a uniquely Texan vibe, with excellent barbecue joints, rodeos, and an arts district featuring local crafts and independent businesses. Even the name of its professional football team, the Dallas Cowboys, is a nod to Texan culture.

Call Dallas home with Landing’s turnkey apartments — over 70 furnished spots with flexible lease dates to accommodate any stay.

Houston

Average cost of living: $3,600 per month

Houston has a population of over 2 million people, making it the state’s largest city. It’s a great fit for anyone seeking non-stop action, as the city houses museums, stadiums, and music halls.

Houston may have a more corporate vibe than Texan cities — thanks to state-of-the-art venues, space programs, and a business focus — but it has a lot of soul, too. It’s home to charming oddities like the Rothko Chapel, hip bars and cafes, and James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace.

Find your future home in Houston with Landing, which has over 50 tastefully furnished apartments spread across vibrant neighborhoods.

How To Move to Texas With Landing

Whether you’re headed to Texas for honky tonk, barbeque, or vibrant underground scenes, one thing is true: You need a comfortable place to land. 
Make your move to Texas as smooth as possible with Landing. Find hundreds of flexible-lease living spaces in Texas — from Fort Worth to Houston and beyond — so you can stay in the Lone Star state wherever you want, for as long as you want.