If you’re planning on moving to Texas, add these cities to your list.
In this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the best places to live in Texas, ranking them on qualities such as affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. You can find more information about our methodology here or at the bottom of the article.
Because of its size, Texas’ landscape varies widely from one end to the other. There are woodlands to the east, marshes in the south, mountains and desert to the west, and thousands of miles of rolling prairies in the center and north.
Texas’ climate is also very diverse. Western Texas sees dry, sunny weather for most of the year, with very hot summers. Central and Northern Texas experience a windy, temperate climate. As you move east, the climate becomes wetter and more humid, especially in the far east. The entire Gulf Coast sees a huge amount of rain every year, primarily from tropical storms.
Built around the fertile banks of the West Fork Trinity River, Fort Worth tops our list as the best place to live in Texas. Relatively affordable housing costs, plenty of job opportunities, and a steady economy helped earn the city top marks. Cattle ranching and oil drilling have shaped the city since its founding in 1853, but a diverse and engaged population have kept it thriving.
Fort Worth is generally considered a quieter, more affordable alternative to Dallas where you retain the big-city amenities and gain a small-town community feel. Fort Worth’s Downtown neighborhood is a great example of this: it’s historic, slower paced, and full of locally-owned businesses, but also has large attractions like the Water Gardens and Convention Center.
“Living in Fort Worth is a treat, full of charm and history. I love it for its outdoor activities, specifically the serene Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the scenic Trinity Trails, perfect for sightseeing and fitness enthusiasts. You’ll also find well-maintained parks and gardens throughout the city.” – John Friar from Tree Service Fort Worth
While often referred to as part of the larger Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, Fort Worth is a world-class city in its own right. Nearly a million people enjoy the city’s huge open spaces, unique cuisine, and annual events. The Botanic and Japanese Gardens at Trinity Park are a must-see. For foodies, Panther City BBQ, Birria y Taqueria de Cortez, and Swiss Pastry Shop (get the black forest cake!) are among the best local eats. And if you’re looking for a fun weekend, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo every winter is iconic.
“Fort Worth’s blend of history and modern charm is contagious, perfect for a weekend getaway or permanent place to call home. The local food scene is a highlight, with everything from classic Tex-Mex and barbecue to innovative new eateries and lively pubs.” – the team at Game Theory, a local restaurant serving quality food with a side of lively board games.
“San Antonio’s charm lies in its community and culture. As a family, my wife and I love taking our children to explore the historic Pearl, where modern eateries and shops blend seamlessly with century-old architecture.” – Michael Street, San Antonio native and owner of Fidelity Home Inspection
A defining feature of San Antonio is its food scene. San Antonio is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, giving credence to the city’s diverse population and outstanding cuisine. Barbecue and Mexican food is world-class, of course, but there is so much more. Great options are available at all price points, too. San Taco, Shiro Japanese Bistro, and Dough Pizzeria Napoletana are among the best.
Beautiful parks and trails are a bit of a hidden gem in San Antonio. More than 240 fields, pools, and facilities are scattered throughout the city, with Pearsall Park, Southside Lions Park, and Phil Hardberger Park among the most popular. You can’t miss the iconic River Walk, either. And just outside city limits, you can see Government Canyon and Natural Bridge Caverns, home to forested trails and underground concerts.
“When you live in Austin, it’s not hard to find something fun and unique to do. On weekends, you can find vendors at places like the Texas Farmers Market or Eastside Pop Up. And on weekdays, you can take a dip in Barton Springs or attend a public program at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum.” – Alex Donovan from the Texas Science & Natural History Museum, located on the UT Austin campus
An hour and a half northeast of San Antonio, Austin is a historic and rapidly growing hub of technology, culture, and education.
Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, millions of people flock to Austin every year for its music, highlighted by the South by Southwest and Austin City Limits festivals. But that’s just the tip of the musical iceberg; more than 250 music venues (plus the airport) host shows year-round. Some bands will even skip the formalities and just set up on a corner downtown.
“I love living in Austin because of the plentiful hiking trails located in and around the city. The Lady Bird Lake Trail is one of my favorites because it runs near excellent restaurants and outdoor activities, and showcases the many flavors of the city.” – Justin Black from 1618 Asian Fusion, a popular restaurant in Austin
Importantly, Austin has been the poster child of growth in the past few decades, and really took off during the pandemic housing boom. The ensuing housing frenzy led Austin to be a national hotspot, adding wealth, jobs, and new communities seemingly overnight. What was already a hip destination became renowned nationwide.
“Exploring Barton Springs Pool or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake are among the best ways to enjoy Austin’s natural beauty and beat the Texas heat. Favorite outdoor spots include the Greenbelt for hiking and Zilker Park for picnics and outdoor festivals like Austin City Limits Music Festival.” – Sara Malek Barney, founder of BANDD/DESIGN, an Austin-based interior design firm
Even with all of the recent changes, the Texas capital manages to stick to its “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. Eat breakfast tacos, float down the river with friends, and see your favorite band at a bar. In Austin, the world is your oyster.
Dallas comes in at number four on our list of the best places to live in Texas. Sitting adjacent to Fort Worth, Dallas is known for its football, cowboy culture, glamorous downtown, and great barbecue. Dallas is generally pricier than Fort Worth, but both sit below the national median house and rental prices. Plenty of people have been taking advantage of the affordability recently, too: the area saw the largest population growth of all U.S. metros in 2023.
“Dallas is so rich with amenities and opportunity that even one of its suburbs, Irving, has more than enough amenities to satisfy a motivated resident. If you’re in Irving, the Las Colinas neighborhood is the place to be. You have the Toyota Music Factory, which showcases great performers, and the beautiful Campion Trail for outdoor enthusiasts.” – Christine Brown, Irving-based interior designer and owner of DeZign Zoo
People of all ages will have plenty to do in Dallas. The Great Wolf Lodge, Six Flags in Arlington, and the Dallas Zoo are perfect for weekend fun, while 180 miles of pedestrian trails make for easy recreation. Dozens of historic landmarks dot the city’s gridded streets, too, like Founder’s Plaza, the Old Red Museum and Courthouse, Old City Park, and Degolyer House & Gardens.
And you can’t miss the food, whether it’s Tex-Mex or good ol’ barbecue. Avila’s, Hutchins BBQ, and Maple and Motor offer some of the best cuisine the city has to offer.
Make sure to consider the climate before making the move. Similar to many other Texas cities, Dallas summers can be unbearably hot and very stormy. But a mild, sunny climate the rest of the year is a fair tradeoff for locals, perfect for enjoying sporting events, eating outdoors, or enjoying one of 410 city parks.
“Houston is massive, so I’m always stumbling upon areas that feel completely new to me. In fact, I find it hard to be bored here – there’s always something happening. Most importantly, though, are the people. They’re the best part about living in the city.” – Patrick Bertolino, a Houston-based real estate photographer
Houston, the largest city in Texas, is next on our list. The city extends over 600 square miles nearly to Galveston, and hasn’t stopped growing for decades. It saw the second-largest population growth in the country in 2023, and the larger metropolitan area has added one million new residents since 2010. Many people choose to live in Houston for its economic opportunities and affordable cost of living, especially in the city’s suburbs.
“I love living in The Woodlands (a Houston suburb) with my husband and four spunky canines. With over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, it’s hard to believe that behind the trees lies convenient shopping of all kinds.” – KAT Troulinos, owner of TA DA by KAT, a local, award winning staging and design company
In Houston, a sparkling, historic downtown gives way to a seemingly endless number of buildings and attractions. You’ll find 10,000 restaurants, miles of bayous and trails, thousands of acres of parks, a Space Center, war memorials, ritzy shopping districts, and much more.
“We love Houston for its treasure trove of landmarks that offer us photographers a wealth of subjects. The Water Wall in Uptown is perfect for capturing stunning shots against dynamic water features. Plus, the murals and street art in EaDo (East Downtown) are a must-visit for any photographer.” – The team at Strata Visuals, a real estate photography company based in Houston
Oil, natural gas, and manufacturing are the major industries in town, but startups and technology are growing, too. You will likely need a car to get to work, though, as public transportation and pedestrian access are generally lacking. As a result, traffic can be very heavy during rush hours.
It’s also essential to consider climate risks. Due to the city’s massive sprawl, very wet climate, and poor urban planning, flooding is common and can be extreme. Hot, humid summers give way to strong tropical storms and hurricanes. Thunderstorms are common during the spring and summer, too. Drought has also been a regular occurrence in the past decade. Fall and winter are the best seasons in Houston, when mild weather and plenty of sunshine dominate the forecast.
El Paso, located in the Chihuahuan Desert, has a markedly drier, sunnier, hotter climate than most other cities in Texas. It’s named the Sun City for a reason, after all. Great affordability, plenty of open space, and outdoor recreation earned it the number six spot on our list.
El Paso is great for those who enjoy the outdoors. The Rio Grande River provides plenty of opportunities for whitewater rafting, fishing, sunbathing, and more. Franklin Mountains and Hueco Tanks State Parks are probably the most popular spots, though, with amphitheaters, trails, vistas, and more. You can explore old mine shafts, too.
Importantly, El Paso is located on the border of Mexico, adjacent to its southern twin, Ciudad Juárez (whose name used to be El Paso Del Norte). The two cities were originally founded as one, but they were split by the border in 1848. Today, the cities have a cordial relationship with one another, with daily life often split between the two. For example, it’s commonplace for binational children to cross the border every day for school.
Denton is home to great food, quiet neighborhoods, and historic buildings throughout its compact layout, along with 41 parks and thousands of acres of open space. Housing is relatively affordable, too, although more expensive than Dallas proper. In general, a strong economy, great schools, and a steadily growing population help make the city an attractive place to live.
Denton has long been a university town with a youthful vibe, home to the University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Woman’s University (TWU). More than 50,000 students are enrolled across the two colleges, influencing the city’s culture and economy. Education is the city’s top industry.
The heart of Denton is the recognizable Denton Square, home to the historic Denton County Courthouse and a new, large shopping mall. As you move out, you’ll find suburban neighborhoods, parks, and lively community hubs.
Restaurants of all types, from black-tie establishments to casual diners, are a local highlight. However, the city’s music scene may be its best-kept secret. The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, Denton Blues Festival, and Make Music Day are annual highlights. UNT’s renowned College of Music bolsters the music community, too.
A suburb just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, Richardson is the eighth-best place to live in Texas. Economic stability, an abundance of housing, and delicious food are the city’s main calling cards. Housing prices are relatively expensive, though, with sale and rental prices sitting above the national average.
Richardson is best known for its telecommunications industry. In fact, the city is often referred to as the Telecom Corridor due to the concentration of companies like AT&T, Cisco, and Texas Instruments. This abundance helped move the city beyond a small suburb, and currently makes the area appealing to professionals.
College Station, known as The Heart of Aggieland®, is located in Central Texas between Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Texas A&M’s flagship campus is situated in the heart of the city, around which residential neighborhoods, parks, and other amenities are located. The city of Bryan is directly adjacent, to the northwest. Strong education and an affordable cost of living helped College Station earn a high score.
You will also find plenty of restaurants in town beloved by students and longtime residents alike. The Northgate district is where you’ll find most student hotspots, including Nam Cafe and the iconic Dixie Chicken, A&M’s favorite watering hole. To the south, Stella Southern Cafe and Urban Table are great spots for people of all ages.
Plano is a dense suburb of Dallas but has recently become a city in its own right. A strong economy, high per-capita income, and plenty of popular amenities help make Plano a great place to live. It will cost quite a bit more to buy a house than surrounding areas, though – nearly $200,000 more than Dallas proper.
Plano saw a massive surge in growth from 1970-2020, increasing nearly 15x. As a result of this booming population, and a business-friendly environment, numerous Fortune 1000 companies now have headquarters in the city, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Toyota, Liberty Mutual, and more. If you’re looking to relocate for a career, Plano may be the place for you.
Most popular amenities in town are located at one of many malls, such as Preston Park Village, Park Pavilion Center, and Lakeside Market. Other unique amenities, like the Japanese food and goods store Mitsuwa Marketplace, can be found along main boulevards.
Redfin’s Best Places to Live rankings are meant to help home searchers make an informed decision when choosing where to live. To attempt to measure the overall quality of a metro area, each ranking takes into account several key factors, including access to healthcare, open outdoor space, navigability, housing trends, employment statistics, income, and travel time to work. Only metros with a population of 100,000 or greater were considered for our Texas list. More information about our methodology can be found here.
Data valid June 2024. This article is for informational and educational purposes only.
If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our
Editorial Guidelines here.
Jamie is part of the Content Marketing team at Redfin and has spent 2+ years writing about climate change, housing affordability, and the housing market. He fell in love with writing in college, where he decided he wanted to help others understand complicated topics. He was born and raised in Seattle, where he currently lives with his wife and three pets. His dream home is a small, modern house in the forest where he can hear the wind blowing at night.
United States
Canada