Moving to Texas: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Texas, you’re not alone. The Lone Star State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Houston and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Texas, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Texas to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Texas
Like any big move, relocating to Texas comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Lone Star State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in TX
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Favorable climate
- ✓Delicious barbecue
- ✓Low taxes
- ✓Privacy and freedom
Cons of living in TX
- ✖Severe weather
- ✖Limited healthcare access
- ✖High crime rate
- ✖Traffic issues
- ✖Politics
Things to do in Texas
Whether you’re moving to Texas work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Texas has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Texas
- The Alamo
- San Antonio River Walk (Paseo del Rio)
- Texas State Capitol
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Space Center Houston
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels
- Big Bend National Park
- Moody Gardens and Aquarium, Galveston Island
- Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
Museums in Texas
- The Houston Museum of Natural Science
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- Waco Mammoth National Monument
- USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
- National Museum of the Pacific War
- Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
- The Buddy Holly Center
- Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum
- The Alamo
- George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Parks in Texas
- Balmorhea State Park, Toyahvale
- Big Bend National Park, far West Texas
- Big Thicket National Preserve, near Beaumont
- Enchanted Rock State Park, near Fredericksburg
- Garner State Park, Concan
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Johnson City and Stonewall
- Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon
- Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, near Comstock
Fun facts about Texas
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Texas, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- More wool comes from the state of Texas than any other state in the United States.
- Edwards Plateau in west central Texas is the top sheep growing area in the country.
- Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation.
- The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.
- Texas boasts the nation’s largest herd of whitetail deer.
- A coastal live oak located near Fulton is the oldest tree in the state. The tree has an estimated age of more than 1,500 years.
Texas population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Texas, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Lone Star State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Texas, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
Metric | Texas |
---|---|
Population | 30,503,301 |
Female | 50.1% |
Male | 49.9% |
College graduation rate | 33.12% |
Political leaning | Republican 56-44 |
Crime index | 27.32 |
Texas weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Texas is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Texas aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
Metric | Texas |
---|---|
Summer high | 94ºF |
Winter low | 36ºF |
Annual rain | 36″ |
Annual snow | 2″ |
Income and cost of living in Texas
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Texas.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Texas and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($37.6 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($22 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($17.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($15.3 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($13.2 billion
- Wholesale trade ($12.4 billion)
- Construction ($7.8 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($7.2 billion)
- Utilities ($6.5 billion)
Metric | Texas |
---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,251 |
Average home cost | $300,267 |
Average income (per capita) | $73,035 |
Cost of living index* | 93 |
Unemployment rate | 4.1% |
Average sales tax | Not available |
State income tax | 0.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Texas
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Texas has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Texas:
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Texas A&M University
- Texas Tech University
- University of Houston
- The University of Texas at Arlington
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- The University of North Texas
- The University of Texas at El Paso
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Texas State University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Texas
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Lone Star State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to TX
- Arkansas to TX
- Arizona to TX
- California to TX
- Colorado to TX
- Connecticut to TX
- Delaware to TX
- Florida to TX
- Georgia to TX
- Iowa to TX
- Idaho to TX
- Illinois to TX
- Indiana to TX
- Kansas to TX
- Kentucky to TX
- Louisiana to TX
- Massachusetts to TX
- Maryland to TX
- Maine to TX
- Michigan to TX
- Minnesota to TX
- Missouri to TX
- Mississippi to TX
- Montana to TX
- North Carolina to TX
- North Dakota to TX
- Nebraska to TX
- New Hampshire to TX
- New Jersey to TX
- New Mexico to TX
- Nevada to TX
- New York to TX
- Ohio to TX
- Oklahoma to TX
- Oregon to TX
- Pennsylvania to TX
- Rhode Island to TX
- South Carolina to TX
- South Dakota to TX
- Tennessee to TX
- Utah to TX
- Virginia to TX
- Vermont to TX
- Washington to TX
- Wisconsin to TX
- West Virginia to TX
- Wyoming to TX
Cost of moving to Texas
Before you take the leap to Texas, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
Company | Quote | Rating |
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Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Texas
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Texas.
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