Moving to Texas

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.

  • Basic information about the Texas population, average yearly temperature and spoken languages.
  • Read about important cultural venues, the best places to live in and learn some fun facts about the state.
  • Check out the list of Pros and Cons of living in Texas before deciding to actually move.
  • Most importantly, find out all about Texas moving and living costs!

    Take a look at the list of housing, transportation and childcare costs, and learn about the living cost index in Texas.

  • Read all about moving costs.
  • All information regarding costs and pricing is compared with average US pricing.

  • You will also find very detailed information about the average yearly salary in Texas.
  • We prepared lists of moving to Texas tips.

For moving tips in general check out our Moving Checklist and Paperwork page.


Texas

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.


Moving to Texas Pros & Cons


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:


Moving to Texas Pros


1. Affordable Living Costs

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.

2. Employment and Job Opportunities

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.

3. Education

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.

4. Lower Tax Rates

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.

5. Nature

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.

6. Hospitality

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.

7. Festivals and Events

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.

8. Diverse Neighborhoods

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.

9. Weather

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.

10. Traveling

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.

Moving to Texas Cons


1. Crime Rates

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.

2. Hurricanes

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.

3. Healthcare

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.

4. Traffic

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.

5. Weather

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.

Texas Pros and Cons
Texas Fun Facts

Moving to Texas Tips


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.

  • Learn About Texas Climate - Texas has a mild climate throughout the year, but summers are longer here and they can get hot and humid. Winters are not extreme but many roads shut down when it snows. There is also a problem with hurricanes that you need to prepare yourself for.
  • Rents Are Affordable in Texas - Rents are more affordable than in most other states and there is more choice. You can live in rural or urban areas. Texas is big and apartment complexes are not stacked on top of each other.
  • Electricity is Cheaper in Texas - The State of Texas has its own electricity grid and texas is the tenth cheapest state for electricity.
  • You Will Probably Need to Own a Car - Public transportation in Texas is impressive but Texas is too big and public transportation does not cover the whole state.
  • Explore Nature - Texas is huge, there are numerous state and national parks to explore and they make perfect weekend getaways.
  • The Majority of Households Own a Gun - Some of them own more than one. If you decide to own one you will have to follow permitting rules and safety guidelines.
  • Texans Love Their State - Most of the Texans are kind and friendly people, but you have to respect their love for their state. They are true patriots, and there is a lot to love about Texas.
  • Enjoy Live Music - Austin is the live music capital of the world but live music is a thing in the entire state. You can listen to any music genre here and there is live music everywhere, all the time.
  • Football is a Big Deal - Not only major-league football but high school games are also important too. Find your favorite football team and cheer for them.
  • Learn the Most Popular Texas Phrases Ahead - Texans have their own set of unique sayings and phrases. Some of them ar “y’all” or “bless your heart”, but there are a lot more of them

Check out our printable Stage-by-Stage MOVING CHECKLIST.

This ultimate moving checklist will help you complete your moving without stress.


Moving Checklist

Best Places to Live in Texas

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.

Austin

Austin

Fort Worth

Fort Worth

Houston

Houston

San Antonio

San Antonio

Killeen

Killeen

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi


Texas Moving Costs


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.


  • Packing Supplies

    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.

  • Moving Insurance

    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.

  • Moving Start-up Costs

    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.

  • Boarding Your Pets

    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.

  • Stair Fees

    Some of the moving companies will ask you to pay a stair fee.

  • Moving Large Items Fees

    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.

  • Valuable Artworks or Decorative Pieces Are Often Handled by Specialised Movers

    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.

  • Storage Space Renting

    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.

  • Re-buying Items Once You've Moved In

    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.

  • Tips For Your Movers

    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.


Moving to Texas


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

Cultural Venues in Texas

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.

The National Cowgirl Museum

The National Cowgirl Museum

Women of the American West Museum

  • City: Fort Worth
  • Adress: 1720 Gendy Street, 76107
  • Admission Fee: $9 - $12
The Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine Arts

  • City: Houston
  • Adress: 1001 Bissonnet, 77005
  • Admission Fee: $18 - $23
Texas Sculpture Garden

Texas Sculpture Garden

Contemporary sculpture collection

  • City: Frisco
  • Adress: 6801 Gaylord Pkwy, 75034
  • Admission Fee: free
Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston

Educational complex and space museum

  • City: Houston
  • Adress: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, 7058
  • Admission Fee: $25 - $28
The Modern Art Museum

The Modern Art Museum

Museum of modern art

  • City: Fort Worth
  • Adress: 3200 Darnell Street, 76107
  • Admission Fee: $10 - $16
The Museum of Western Art

The Museum of Western Art

Museum of Western Heritage

  • City: Kerrville
  • Adress: 1550 Bandera Highway, 78028
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $7

Texas Living Costs


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.


How much are utilities in Austin


  • 85m2 Apartment Monthly Utilities, Basic (Electricity, Water, Cooling, Heating, Garbage):

    $139.85

  • 1 Min. Of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans):

    $0.10

  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/adsl):

    $60.72

  • Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), for 20 Years Fixed-rate, Yearly:

    4.16

Austin VS US Average

Average Living Costs in Texas

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

Work and Salary


Average Yearly Salary in Texas is $64,000

Currently, most popular and best-paid jobs in Texas are:

  • Operations Manager - $65,573/yr
  • Project Manager - $75,475/yr
  • Software Engineer - $79,953/yr
  • Office Manager - $45,531/yr
  • Mechanical Engineer - $71,622/yr
  • Administrative Assistant - $37,159/yr
  • Human Resources (HR) Manager - $66,482/yr

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

Top 6 Universities in Texas

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

The University of Texas at Austin

Acronuym: UT Austin

  • City: Austin
  • Address: 110 Inner Campus Drive, 78712
  • Founded: 1883
Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University

Acronuym: TAMU

  • City: College Station
  • Address: JKW Administration Building Suite 100, 77843-1248
  • Founded: 1876
University of Houston

University of Houston

Acronuym: UH

  • City: Houston
  • Address: 212 Ezekiel Cullen Building, 77204-2018
  • Founded: 1927
Rice University

Rice University

Acronuym: Rice University

  • City: Houston
  • Address: 6100 S Main, 77005-1827
  • Founded: 1891
University of North Texas

University of North Texas

Acronuym: UNT

  • City: Denton
  • Address: 1501 W.Chestnut Avenue, 76203-1277
  • Founded: 1890
The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas

Acronuym: UT Dallas

  • City: Richardson
  • Address: 800 West Campbell Road, 75080-3021
  • Founded: 1969

Texas - Important Information


State of Texas

Texas Seal

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.

  • State Capital:

    Austin

  • Largest City (By Population):

    Houston

  • Official State Website:

    texas.gov

  • Official Language:

    Texas currently does not have an official language

  • Spoken Languages:

    English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, German, French, Hindi, Korean, Czechs, Polish and other.

  • Dimensions:

    Length - 790 mi (1,270 km)

    Width - 773 mi (1,244 km)

Texas Population:


  • According to the last census (2010): 25,145,561
  • According to the latest estimate (2018): 28,701,845
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%

Texas - Average Yearly Temperature

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

Texas - Crime rates

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

Famous National Parks in Texas

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.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park

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.

  • Nearest city: Alpine
  • Nearest large city: El Paso
  • Visitors per year: 440,091 (in 2018)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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).

  • Nearest city: Dell City
  • Nearest major city: El Paso
  • Visitors per year: 172,347 (in 2018)
Amistad National Recreation Area

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.

  • Nearest city: Del Rio
  • Nearest major city: San Antonio
  • Visitors per year: 1,367,502 (in 2012)
Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock

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.

  • Nearest city: Fredericksburg
  • Nearest major city: Austin
  • Visitors per year: 800 (in 2018)
Big Thicket National Preserve

Big Thicket National Preserve

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".

  • Nearest city: Kountze
  • Nearest major city: Dallas
  • Visitors per year: 137,722 (in 2011)
Caprock Canyons State Park

Caprock Canyons State Park

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.

  • Nearest city: Quitaque
  • Nearest major city: Fort Worth
  • Visitors per year: 80,000 (in 2012)