Texas Living Report — July 25, 2026

With a population just shy of 29.3 million, Texas has become the nation’s second-largest state, and for good reason. For anyone considering a move, the numbers tell a compelling story of affordability and opportunity. The most immediate draw is the cost of living, particularly in housing. The median home value in Texas sits at a manageable $238,000, a figure that looks remarkably reasonable compared to the coastal averages. For renters, the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment is $1,251 per month. When you weigh that against a median household income of $73,035 annually, the math works out favorably: rent on a typical one-bedroom unit consumes roughly 20.5 percent of gross household income, a level well below the recommended 30 percent threshold. This affordability analysis alone explains why the state continues to see a steady influx of families looking for more square footage and remote workers seeking to stretch their salaries further.

The job market reinforces this appeal. Texas boasts an unemployment rate that remains competitive on a national scale, driven by a diversified economy that spans energy, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. The state’s relatively young median age of 35.2 suggests a workforce that is both energetic and growing, which attracts not just recent college graduates but also established professionals seeking career growth without the congestion of Silicon Valley or New York. The poverty rate holds at 13.6 percent—a figure slightly above the national average, but one that is tempered by the lower cost of living, meaning a dollar goes further here than in many other parts of the country.

Quality of life in Texas is defined by its extremes: vast open spaces, a fierce sense of local pride, and a climate that ranges from blazing summers to mild winters. The state tracks data across hundreds of cities through platforms like Finklick, which monitors real estate and lifestyle metrics in 11 Texas metropolitan areas, giving newcomers a granular view of where to settle. Whether you are a retiree drawn to the tax-friendly environment—there is no state income tax—or a family prioritizing good school districts, the diversity of landscapes from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast offers a lifestyle for almost every preference. The absence of a state income tax is a silent but powerful perk, effectively boosting take-home pay for everyone from remote tech workers to oil field engineers.

Looking ahead, Texas’s trajectory appears set for continued expansion. The combination of affordable housing, a robust job market, and a tax structure that favors earners means the state will likely remain a magnet for migration. However, that growth comes with growing pains: infrastructure strain, rising property taxes in popular counties, and increased competition for homes in desirable neighborhoods. For now, the balance still tips in favor of the newcomer. Texas offers a rare blend of economic momentum and financial breathing room, a combination that is becoming increasingly hard to find in the rest of the country.

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated July 25, 2026.

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