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Top 10 Best places to live in Texas with the Best quality of life – 2023

Last updated on: August 2, 2023

Texas has a population of 28.7 million residents, making it one of the fastest-growing states in the US. The cost of living is more affordable in Texas with high job opportunities. It is the perfect state to experience a warm to hot climate all year round, with neighborhoods that offer the best educational opportunities for children and one of the lowest taxed states. These smaller cities and towns offer outstanding quality of life for those looking for a fresh start. As any other resident, you will desire to secure employment with lower taxes in a safe and affordable living environment so here are the 10 best places to live in Texas in 2023.

(*Home City)

Methodology

“Best” being a subjective word, below is our methodology to compile the best places.

Using our existing ranking of the safest and cheapest places to live in Texas, we based our ranking on 3 criteria: safety, affordability and access to recreational facilities and parks.

Safety is measured based on the 3 following criteria: the violent-crime rate, the property crime rate, and the total crime rate (the sum of both property and violent crime rates). Statistics come from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. As a reference, the United States of America recently registered an average rate of 308 violent crimes per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1958.

Affordability takes into account the prices of housing and renting. Statistics come from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).

Finally, we used the following data to rank the 10 best places to live in Texas while also taking into account their quality of life. Health, pollution, green spaces and recreation, climate, education and employment are the criteria involved to determine the quality of life.

1. El Paso

Best for families

Population: 678,415
Average monthly cost of living: $1,399

El Paso is Texas’ sixth most populous city and the best place to live. It is a great place to live, with a low cost of living, low crime rates, and plenty of activities to do. The city has been named one of the best places to live in Texas for families because of its family-friendly environment. There are many parks and recreational opportunities for children and adults alike. Furthermore, El Paso has a wide range of restaurants for families to enjoy, particularly authentic Tex-Mex. You will be glad to know as well that this place is the safest, with a crime rate of 4 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 90.47% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

The average price to buy a home in El Paso is $119,300, making it affordable for families and their next move.

(*AreaVibes, Safe Wise, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

El Paso,Texas

2. Frisco

Best for safety and fitness lovers

Population: 210,719
Average monthly cost of living: $1,945

Frisco, a suburb of Dallas, is one of the best places to live in the US. The city is extremely safe with crime rate of 11.26 per 1,000 people, which is 73.19% lower than the average crime rate in Texas. “Everything is bigger in Texas” holds true in Frisco. The city has 13 schools and is home to around 80 different parks stretching over 1,300 acres. Frisco is also big in sports and fitness, with world-class courts and stadiums for golf, baseball, and football. There is also an abundance of restaurants, shopping and leisure activities to participate in during the summer and time off work.

(*Census.gov, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, Niche & Living Cost Org)

Frisco, Texas

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3. McKinney

Best fo job opportunities in insurance, finance and healthcare

Population: 202,690
Average monthly cost of living: $1,893

McKinney offers a dense suburban experience to its residents, with many residents owning their own homes. McKinney has a diverse economy, a thriving tech scene, and a long history of manufacturing. It also offers excellent job prospects in insurance, finance, and healthcare. McKinney is also known to be very safe and offers many parks for its residents because this place only had a crime rate of 11.42 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 72.80% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas. It also includes the historic downtown McKinney, where restaurants can be found and shopping can be done. If you are looking to move to a friendly and lively neighbourhood surrounded by nature, McKinney is the best place for you.

(*Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

McKinney, Texas

4. McAllen

Best for a affordable housing

Population: 143,920
Average monthly cost of living: $1,328

McAllen is a large city with many activities for residents to enjoy, such as spending time in the parks, enjoying nightlife, and unwinding at a local restaurant. One such park is McAllen Park, which features an 18-hole golf course and a water park. McAllen is a city located on the southernmost tip of Texas. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. McAllen offers a lot of employment opportunities in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and electronics industries. You will be glad to know as well that this place is safe, with a crime rate of 20.93 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 50.16% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

The cost of living in McAllen is 13% lower than Texas’s average, making it one of the cheapest places to live in Texas which is great for starting a family. In addition, buying a home costs about $117,500 (18% lower than the Texas average). With all these factors combined, it’s no surprise McAllen is one of the best places to live in Texas!

(*AreaVibes, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

McAllen, Texas

5. Brownsville

Best for nature and fitness lovers

Population: 187,831
Average monthly cost of living: $1,587

Brownsville is a small welcoming city in Texas, close to the Mexican border, and has a rich history that includes the Battle of Palmito Ranch during the Civil War. The city has a lot of parks and easy access to bike and walking roads. The average price of a home is around $260,000 making it extremely affordable for families and young couples to settle down. Also, Brownsville is a place for you if you work in the health care or the telecommunications industries. Plus, it is full of vibrant history and culture, and restaurants, including Brownsville speciality foods. You will be glad to know as well that this place is safe, with a crime rate of 22.30 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 46.90% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

(*AreaVibes, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Brownsville, Texas

6. College Station

Best for indoor and outdoor activities

Population: 120,019
Average monthly cost of living: $1,622

College Station is a growing and thriving community with an emphasis on education with its home campus being the largest university in the state and one of the largest in the nation, known as Texas A&M University. It’s one of the best places to live in Texas, and the cost of living is lower than the national average. Compared to the average, transportation costs are lower, such as groceries and health. It is recorded to have the third-lowest unemployment rate in the state. It’s enriched with good universities, a distinguished school system, and a family-friendly community, and people consider this city the safest. College Station has indoor and outdoor activities to keep you moving. From golf courses and swimming pools to parks and lakes.This place only had a crime rate of 22.89 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 45.50% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

(*Life Storage, Omega Builders, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

College Station, Texas

7. Plano

Best for safety & retirees

Population: 288,253
Average monthly cost of living: $2,066

Plano City is consistently growing and changing. It is a popular place for retirees with its Retirement Center amenities including affordable housing and rich benefits. People relocating with their families, ranked one of the safest cities in the country and third in the nation for safety. It is considered one of the most affordable cities in Texas compared to other large cities in the United States. It is known for its relatively affordable housing, low property taxes, educational, and outdoor amenities. Residents are never disappointed with the quality of life in Plano.This place only had a crime rate of 27.14 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 35.38% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

(*Up Homes, Crime Grade, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Plano, Texas

8. San Antonio

Best for high quality of education

Population: 1.452 million
Average monthly cost of living: $1,773

San Antonio is one of the best cities to live in Texas; its unique culture makes it a fascinating place to live and work. San Antonio is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and the 7th largest city by population. Food, art, and culture also play essential roles in the lives of residents. It has lots of schools that can provide students with the proper mix of education, safety, diversity, and social events. The job market there is thriving for those moving to the area to seek better employment. An International Airport provides air travel service for the area. Internal and public transportation throughout the city are also available, allowing residents to get to where they need to go for an affordable price. This place only had a crime rate of 37 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 11.90% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

(*Allied, Best Places, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

San Antonio, Texas

9. Corpus Christi

Best for affordable housing

Population: 317,773
Average monthly cost of living: $1,514

Corpus Christi is one of the best places to live in Texas for both homeowners and renters. The cost of living in Corpus Christi is lower than the national average. Corpus Christi is ideal for those who love outdoor activities, including windsurfing, sailing, and kiteboarding. Over the past year, the job market in this city has seen an increase of 0.3%, and it is continually on the rise. It is one of the warmest cities in the state of Texas. It is a great place to live, with a high safety rating and cheap housing. Education-wise, Corpus Christi has above-average public schools, attracting many families and young professionals to the area. The city is small yet full of charm. You and your family will be glad to know as well that this place is safe with a crime rate of 43 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 2.20% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

(*US News, Up Homes, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

Corpus Christi, Texas

10. Beaumont

Best for young professionals seeking career growth

Population: 112,556
Average monthly cost of living: $1,878

Moving to Beaumont, Texas, affords you many opportunities, including promising jobs, enticingly priced housing, and plenty of friendly people ready to welcome you. It offers a great selection of public and private schools. In addition, the cost of living in Beaumont is significantly lower than the average in Texas. Overall, education in the area is good and ranks high nationally and statewide compared to other cities. It is known for its cultural hotspot, delicious food, and outdoor recreation opportunities, making it one of the best place to live in Texas.This place only had a crime rate of 41.60 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 0.95% lower than the average violent crime rate in Texas.

(*US News, Life Storage, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Beaumont, Texas

Conclusion

Texas has some of the best cities in the US regarding the quality of life. These cities are filled with an ocean of opportunities, excellent education, good health care, diverse culture, and a brilliant lifestyle. This list can help you comfortably choose your next move to Texas! Are you moving soon? Find out the best Dallas movers!

Last year's ranking (2022)

1. Frisco
2. McAllen
3. El Paso
4. Brownsville
5. Corpus Christi
6. San Antonio
7. College Station
8. McKinney
9. Beaumont
10. Plano

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The expert

Mathieu Paquette

The author of this article also acts as MovingWaldo’s booking agent. Matt, is an accomplished relocation specialist with over 6 years of experience in the industry. Matt has earned a CAM certification (Canadian Association Of Movers), Tariff Certification (Atlas Van Lines), and has an extensive business background. Before handing off everything you own, do your due diligence… or let Matt do it for you.

Provide Matt with your move criteria. He will calculate quotes from verified movers, using the same metrics. This will make it simple to compare and book your move.