Best Affordable Places to Live in Texas in 2025

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Odessa is the county seat of Ector County and is located in West Texas, near the state’s border with New Mexico. Odessa is said to be the inspiration for the fictional setting of Dillon, Texas, in the popular book and movie Friday Night Lights. In addition to loads of local sports and activities to keep you busy, you can also check out the replica of Stonehenge, located at the University of Texas Permian Basin.

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Located in the Texas Panhandle in northern Texas, Amarillo is the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. You can also visit the Cadillac Ranch (a famous art installation of buried graffiti-decorated cars) or check out Historic Route 66. The area is rich with agriculture, but biosciences, technology, and aerospace companies are also increasingly calling the region home.

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Located alongside Interstate 20 about three hours west of Dallas, Abilene hosts Dyess Air Force Base and is the county seat of Taylor County. It features a historic downtown where visitors enjoy the restored Paramount Theatre and Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra. Rodeo is a popular event in the spring and fall.

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Located in the booming Austin metropolitan area, Leander was the fastest-growing city in the United States about six years ago and continues to attract new residents. Nature enthusiasts can take advantage of the nearby Colorado River as well as Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, and you are also close enough to Austin to enjoy all of the perks of a larger metro area.

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The Woodlands is a census-designated place in Montgomery County in the northern exurbs of Houston. A master-planned community, it features eight different villages, with each village further subdivided into neighborhoods. The area is known for its parks and boasts 220 miles of biking and hiking trails, which may be one reason it makes so many people’s list of best places to live in Texas for families.

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If you’re looking to be a part of the Austin metropolitan area but are seeking something outside Austin proper, Round Rock may be an option worth considering. Round Rock is located about 20 miles northeast of Austin and is named for The Round Rock, a large stone in Brushy Creek where 19th century travelers made low-water crossings via wagon. Today, it lands on lists of best places in Texas to live for families because of its abundance of parks, sports and recreation facilities, and other activities for kids.

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Located northeast of San Antonio on the way to Austin, New Braunfels sits at the confluence of the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Nature enthusiasts can visit the underground limestone caves at Natural Bridge Caverns. If you’re looking for an aquatic adrenaline rush, check out the Schlitterbahn water park.

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Anchoring a major metro area in Texas, Dallas has something for everyone, so it’s not surprising it’s on a list of best places to live in Texas for young adults. Whether you’re looking to commune with nature, seeking a vibrant nightlife and cultural scene, or want access to major sports, the Dallas area has options for everyone. There is a busy job market, particularly in tech. In addition to all these advantages, when you compare the cost of living by state, Dallas may be somewhat pricier than other regions in the state, but it remains quite affordable as compared to metro areas in other parts of the country.

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Houston is another Texas city that has options for everyone. While Houston is most closely linked with the NASA Space Center, it also features an arts scene, with museums and an amazing array of music options. Locals treasure the Theater District and the Houston Grand Opera. It’s a culturally diverse city, with plenty of green spaces. If you are thinking of moving to Houston, consider getting prequalified for a home loan before you get serious about your home search.

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If you’re interested in the Houston area, but don’t want to live in Houston proper, you might consider the suburb of Katy. Katy sits near the intersection of Fort Bend, Waller, and Harris counties, to the west of Houston. Affordability is one plus, and it offers a wealth of activities from Katy Heritage Museum to the Mary Jo Peckham Park, with its fish-filled lake, to restaurants and craft breweries.

Killeen is a city in Central Texas that is home to the sprawling Fort Hood army base. The Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area is a great draw for nature lovers, and the Mayborn Science Theater offers planetarium shows on a 60-foot domed screen. Historic sites, walking paths, and local theater fill residents’ free time, too.

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McAllen is one of the larger cities in Southern Texas, directly across the national border from Reynosa, Mexico. Residents and visitors can check out the International Museum of Art & Science, the McAllen Heritage Center, and Quinta Mazatlan, a Spanish Revival mansion in an area with woodlands and several species of bird life.

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Corpus Christi is a beach town located in southern Texas directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The Padre Island National Seashore acts as a barrier island protecting Corpus Christi Bay, and it’s home to both endangered sea turtles as well as several species of migratory birds. And, yes, spectacular sunsets are frequent!

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Freeport is located in Brazoria County on the Gulf of Mexico south of Houston. In addition to enjoying access to the Gulf of Mexico, outdoor enthusiasts can also take advantage of the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area. Morning beach walks are just one of the wonderful rituals residents can experience here.

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Rockport is a beach town in southern Texas, just to the north of the larger city of Corpus Christi. Visitors and residents can explore the Texas Maritime Museum, the Rockport Center for the Arts, and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, which has 115,000 diverse acres full of waterfowl and other wildlife.