2019 Moving to Texas Relocation Guide
Welcome to 2019 Ultimate Moving to Texas Relocation Guide! Before this big step, find out all important information about Texas.
Take a look at the list of housing, transportation and childcare costs, and learn about the living cost index in Texas.
All information regarding costs and pricing is compared with average US pricing.
For moving tips in general check out our Moving Checklist and Paperwork page.
Welcome to the state of cowboys, the state of live music and westerns. Welcome to the state of delicious food and breathtaking nature, the state where everything is bigger. Welcome to the Lone Star State, welcome to Texas. Texas is the second-largest state in America and one of the fastest-growing too. The state name came from the Caddo word táysha meaning “friends” resulting in incredible hospitality of Texas residents.
Texas made a strong mark on international pop culture through movies, cowboy culture, and country music. The state draws in countless tourist and a lot of people are moving here too. Increasing job opportunities, affordable living costs, and amazing nature are just some of the reasons for moving to Texas.
Texas is the state of sports, food, festivals and live music. There is always something happening here, and you will easily find your perfect place in the state as big as Texas. Wheater you want to live in an urban or rural area Texas is the perfect place for you.
Texas is the state of job growth, diverse cities, and amazing nature. Affordable housing and living costs are one of the biggest pros of living in the Lone Star Stae. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider before making a move, and you should get to know the biggest advantages and disadvantages of moving to Texas. Go ahead and read all about the pros and cons of moving to Texas, get prepared for this step, the perks of living in Texas are endless:
The cost of living in the state of Texas is really close to the national average. The average living cost in the USA is ranked as 100, the average living cost in Texas is ranked as 101,8. Housing prices and rent are also more affordable than in other states and some everyday costs are below the national average.
Texas is becoming one of the leading states in the number of start-ups. Many Texas cities are the cities of innovation, entrepreneurs, and technology. Texas has a great job market and low unemployment rates.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Texas students have higher test scores than most other states. Texas is also home to very important higher education institutions that are ranked among the top 20 universities in the USA.
Texas is one of the few US states there is no income tax. The sales tax rate is higher than in most of the other states but the overall tax rate is still lowered than the national average.
You will find numerous beautiful lakes, hills, and parks all over the country that will provide you with amazing outdoor activities. Texas is a large state, so you can enjoy almost any landscape here. There a numerous national parks and preserved areas that are great for weekend getaways too.
People in Texas are friendly, kind, and you will find friends here easily. They are open-minded and they enjoy the differences, very casual atmosphere and chill vibes, Texas is known as both an extremely traditional and extremely liberal state.
There is always something happening in Texas. First of all, the SXSW Festival, one of the most important festivals in the USA, is held annually in Austin. SXSW is the festival of art, music, film, and technology and it attracts thousands of creative people to the city each year. Apart from that, you will find a great number of food, music, sports or art festivals here.
If you are moving to Texas, you can choose wheater you would like to live in an urban or rural environment. Texas is home to many large American cities and some of the fastest-growing too. But Texas is also home to numerous ranches, rural areas and small towns that are quiet and safe.
Texas is a large state and you can choose from a variety of climates to live in. Overall, as a whole, Texas state has a relatively mild climate throughout the year, you will not have to deal with extremely cold winters and you will be able to enjoy all 4 seasons in Texas.
If you are moving to Dallas or Houston you will be able to reach almost any location in the United States under three hours, with a direct flight. Because of its central location, many cross country flights make a stop in Texas.
Crime rates in the State of Texas are higher than in other states. The rate of violent crime has been climbing since 2015 while the number of police officers has been decreasing.
Hurricane season lasts over 6 months every year no matter where you are living in Texas. There are different insurance options for this, but you will have to be prepared that hurricanes can make a large impact on your property.
According to the US Health and Human Services Agency on Research and Healthcare Quality, the quality of health care in Texas is lower than it is in most other states.
Traffic in Texas can be bad during rush hours, and the speed limits are higher than in any other state in America which increases the risk of an accident. Public transportation is not as developed as it should be either.
The climate in Texas is both a pro and a con. Summers can get extremely hot and humid. Summer conditions also last longer in Texas.
Moving to Texas is a big, challenging step and the state offers so many different opportunities. Whether you are moving for work or for pleasure you will find our tips useful. Here are 10 TIPS about moving to Texas, 10 facts that will help you prepare for this step.
This ultimate moving checklist will help you complete your moving without stress.
You know you want to live in The Lone Star state but you don't know which city to choose? Take a look at the list of top 6 best places to live in Texas according to usnews. Every city in Texas has its pros and cons and you should choose wisely, there are a lot of factors that you should consider.
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio
Killeen
Corpus Christi
There are certain costs associated with moving that most people tend to neglect. Even if you have opted for a self-moving job that does not involve hiring a professional moving company, you will have to pay extra for certain things. Here is a list of moving and packing costs you may have forgotten.
If you plan to move on a budget and want to fo the packing yourself, you must know that you will need to invest in packing supplies like boxes, tape or bubble wrap.
During the move something almost always brake. Getting moving insurance is always recommended. Most of the moving companies offer insurance and you can decide how much to get, considering how valuable your things are.
For renting new space start-up costs include things like your first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, a pet deposit or an application fee.
If you are buying start-up costs are much bigger. They include closing costs for your new mortgage which is often measured in thousands of dollars. Average closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the cost of your home. These costs include things like a fee for running your credit report, a loan origination fee, attorney’s fees, the cost of a home inspection, a title search, an appraisal fee, and a survey fee, etc.
You can expect extra costs for boarding your pets. Often enough, people tend to move their pets overnight, that way pets are not exposed to the stress.
Some of the moving companies will ask you to pay a stair fee.
It is always best to check with moving companies about extra fees and inform them about your large items, like piano or pool table, in advance. That way you will avoid surprises on a moving day.
There are professionals who are trained to handle valuable items. Packing and moving valuable items is more complex than regular moving. So you can expect to pay extra on moving those kinds of pieces.
Sometimes, you don't want to bring all of your things to your new home, but you don't want to throw them either. If you find yourself in this situation you will have to find storage space for those things. Having to store items could mean an additional monthly expense.
While you shouldn't get rid of everything before a move, there are going to be some items that you're not going to want to bring to your new space.
Your movers are doing a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, and they deserve to be compensated. Just note, that tips are always expected by your movers.
Here you can find a list of shipping costs. Please note that the cost of international shipping (calculated with reallymoving) is solely the cost of shipping itself. Costs are calculated for moving entire two bedroom home, in the next three monts.
| Moving From | Cost |
|---|---|
| Vancouver (Canada) | $4,100 - $5,500 |
| Sydney (Australia) | $5,200 - $7,000 |
| Auckland (New Zealand) | $5,000 - $7,000 |
| Beijing (China) | $5,000 - $6,800 |
| Tokyo (Japan) | $4,800 - $6,600 |
| Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | $4,600 - $7,900 |
| Mexico City (Mexico) | $4,300 - $7,200 |
| London (United Kingdom) | $5,300 - $7,200 |
| Dublin (Ireland) | $5,300 - $7,100 |
| Singapore | $5,200 - $7,100 |
Culture in Texas is defined primarily by the greater American culture and the culture of the American Old West. Rodeo is an official sport of Texas and the state has a long ranching tradition. Apart from that, you will also be able to explore a lot of different art exhibitions, live music, and performance. Take a look at our list of top 6 cultural venues in Texas.
Women of the American West Museum
Museum of Fine Arts
Contemporary sculpture collection
Educational complex and space museum
Museum of modern art
Museum of Western Heritage
Texas is one of the less expensive states to live in the USA. Living costs vary throughout the state but Texas is home to two of the three most-affordable neighborhoods in America. In large cities, prices are higher while you can still find a lot of places with low living costs. Also, Texas has no state income tax or estate taxes. For more information about living costs visit numbeo or BestPlaces.
$139.85
$0.10
$60.72
4.16
| Cost of Living | Texas | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 98.9 | 100 |
| Transportation | 119 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99.2 | 100 |
| Grocery | 96.6 | 100 |
| Health | 95.3 | 100 |
| Other | 96.4 | 100 |
| Housing | Buy per Sq Ft | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $209.10 | $1,404.08 |
| San Antonio | $165.47 | $1,139.19 |
| Dallas | $245.53 | $1,446.75 |
| Austin | $404.73 | $1,741.49 |
| Fort Worth | $154.78 | $1,097.33 |
| El Paso | $98.69 | $666.33 |
| US Average | $242.48 | $1,294.88 |
| Transportation | One Way Ticket | Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $1.25 | $48.50 |
| San Antonio | $1.45 | $38.00 |
| Dallas | $3.00 | $95.00 |
| Austin | $1.50 | $41.25 |
| Fort Worth | $2.00 | $80.00 |
| El Paso | $1.50 | $48.00 |
| US Average | $2.25 | $70.00 |
| Child Care | Preschool | Primary School |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $890.65 | $20,705.88 |
| San Antonio | $740.00 | $10,400.00 |
| Dallas | $906.67 | $17,666.67 |
| Austin | $972.73 | $18,286.11 |
| Fort Worth | $769.00 | $10,000.00 |
| El Paso | $497.50 | $5,198.33 |
| US Average | $896.05 | $16,125.51 |
Average Yearly Salary in Texas is $64,000
Currently, most popular and best-paid jobs in Texas are:
All the information is provided by Glassdoor and Payscale where you can get more detailed information about the job of interest. If you don't have a specific job in mind, you can also check this list of 10 common jobs and professions in the United States with an average salary for each of them.
| Job | Texas | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $9.94/h | $10.57/h |
| Receptionist | $14.98/h | $13.34/h |
| Repair Technician | $14.51/h | $16.24/h |
| Actor | $10.42/h | $11.06/h |
| Registered Nurse | $25.94/h | $33.87/h |
| Secretary | $11.69/h | $13.96/h |
| Preschool Teacher | $10.92/h | $12.52/h |
| High School Teacher | $18.22/h | $19.20/h |
| Lawyer | $65.39/h | $65.62/h |
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) administers the state's public school systems. Texas has over 1,000 school districts. Thirty-six separate and distinct public universities exist in Texas, of which 32 belong to one of the six state university systems. The state's two most widely recognized flagship universities are The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University. Take a look at the list of top 6 universities in Texas, according to UniRank.
The University of Texas at Austin
Acronuym: UT Austin
Acronuym: TAMU
Acronuym: UH
Acronuym: Rice University
Acronuym: UNT
The University of Texas at Dallas
Acronuym: UT Dallas
State of Texas
Texas is the second-largest state in the United States by area (after Alaska) and population (after California). Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S., while Austin is the capital, the second-most populous state capital in the U.S. Texas is nicknamed the "Lone Star State" for its former status as an independent republic, and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. Texas contains diverse landscapes common to both the U.S. Southern and Southwestern regions.
Austin
Houston
texas.gov
Texas currently does not have an official language
English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, German, French, Hindi, Korean, Czechs, Polish and other.
Length - 790 mi (1,270 km)
Width - 773 mi (1,244 km)
| Texas Demographics by Race | ||
|---|---|---|
| White | 20,459,525 | 74.62% |
| Asian | 1,236,852 | 4.51% |
| Other Race | 1,580,393 | 5.76% |
| Black or African American | 3,286,950 | 11.99% |
| Two or More Races | 702,001 | 2.56% |
| Native American | 130,360 | 0.48% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 23,531 | 0.09% |
| Temperature | Annual High | Annual Low | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 25.7°C | 15.5°C | 20.6°C |
| San Antonio | 26.6°C | 14.2°C | 20.4°C |
| Dallas | 25.1°C | 10.9°C | 18°C |
| Austin | 26.5°C | 15°C | 20.75°C |
| Fort Worth | 24.8°C | 12.2°C | 18.5°C |
| El Paso | 25.3°C | 10.9°C | 18.1°C |
Very low: 0 - 20, Low: 20 - 40, Moderate: 40 - 60, High: 60 - 80, Very high: 80 - 100. By numbeo.
| City | Crime Index | Safety Index | Level of crime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 63.52 | 36.48 | 73.37 |
| San Antonio | 46.28 | 53.72 | 55.15 |
| Dallas | 49.38 | 50.62 | 53.60 |
| Austin | 34.82 | 65.18 | 36.03 |
| Fort Worth | 42.99 | 57.01 | 49.14 |
| El Paso | 29.97 | 70.03 | 27.38 |
Texas is the second-largest state in the USA and there are numerous natural wonders within its borders. Exploring natural attractions in Texas will allow you to enjoy the most beautiful skies, amazing mountain landscapes, and the ocean. There are numerous breathtaking unexplored canyons and beaches that you can visit. Take a look at our list of top 6 national parks to visit in Texas.
The Big Bend National Park has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. The park also include sea fossils and dinosaur bones, as well as volcanic dikes.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an American national park in the Guadalupe Mountains, east of El Paso, Texas. The mountain range includes Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet (2,667 m).
Amistad National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. This recreation area is famous for excellent water-based recreation and rock art collections.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is the massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas also known as The Dark Sky Park offering the best stargazing spots in the USA.
The Big Thicket is a forested area in Southeast Texas. It is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world outside of the tropics and has been described as the "Biological Crossroads of North America".
Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is a third-largest state park in Texas, famous for hiking and mountain-biking on 90 mile trails. The Park also hosts the Texas state bison herd.
