Texas Living Report — July 23, 2026

With a population of over 29.2 million, Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S., and for good reason: it continues to attract new residents drawn by a combination of economic opportunity and a cost of living that remains lower than many coastal metros. But as with any major relocation, the numbers tell only part of the story. Anyone considering a move to the Lone Star State should look closely at what the latest data reveals about housing, employment, and daily life.

The housing market offers a clear affordability advantage. The median home value in Texas sits at $238,000, significantly below the national median, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,251 per month. To put that in perspective, a household earning the state’s median income of $73,035 per year would spend roughly 20.6 percent of their gross income on that one-bedroom rent—well within the 30 percent threshold that financial planners consider manageable. For homeowners, the picture is similarly favorable, though property taxes in Texas are among the highest in the country, a factor that can offset some of the savings from a lower purchase price.

The job market remains robust, with an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent as of June 2026, reflecting a steady post-pandemic recovery. Key industries—energy, technology, healthcare, and logistics—continue to drive hiring, particularly in the state’s major metropolitan areas. This economic resilience is a major draw for families seeking stable employment, as well as for remote workers who can take advantage of Texas’s lack of state income tax while benefiting from a lower cost of living relative to cities

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated July 23, 2026.

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