10 Cheapest Places to Live in Texas in 2024

9 mins read Dec 10, 2024
Listen
copy-link facebook twitter linkedin whatsapp
Editor
Edited By

Megha Mulchandani

icon
Editor
Edited By

Megha Mulchandani

Editor, Houzeo
About

Megha M. is an adept content editor well-versed in the intricacies of American market dynamics and economic trends. In her free time, she excels as a versatile theatre artist and public speaker.

Find Megha Here

Texas attracts Americans from all over. And there’s a good reason why: excellent healthcare, $0 state income tax, and affordable living. You can’t go wrong with the Lone Star State!

Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $300,000. Brownsville’s cost of living is 25.1% lower than the national average, and Wichita Falls is 23.7% more affordable than the rest of the country.

But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Abilene’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $196K. Meanwhile, Arlington offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $317,398.

Find an Affordable Home in the Lone Star State 🏜️

View 196,503 Homes For Sale in Texas

Where do you want to live?

Please enter valid address

Cheapest Places to Live in Texas in 2024

Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Texas. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.

CityMedian Household IncomeMedian Home ValuePopulationUnemployment RatePoverty Rate
Brownsville$43,174$230,000189,3825.0%26.1%
Abilene$54,493$223,000127,3853.2%15.9%
Wichita Falls$50,856$176,450102,6643.8%17.8%
Lubbock$54,060$225,000 263,9303.9%19.3%
San Angelo$59,148$225,000 99,1123.4%11.8%
Pasadena$64,698$245,000 147,6626.0%18.0%
Killeen$57,086$250,000 159,1725.3%16.0%
Waco$47,421$201,700144,8163.7%24.8%
Arlington$71,736$322,876398,4313.5%13%
El Paso$55,710$223,913678,9583.9%20.1%

10 Cheapest Places to Live in Texas

Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Lone Star State:

#1 Brownsville: $186,700

Source: Designed by Freepik

Brownsville is one of the cheapest places to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,600 | Rental prices range between $550 and $30,000.
  • Median home value of Brownsville is $186,700.
  • Cost of living in Brownsville is 25.1% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Brownsville, TX: 78641 | 78660 | 78613

The Sunset Capital of the World offers low cost of living and affordable housing. This has led to a population growth of 1.73% since 2020. Beyond affordability, Brownsville boasts a warm climate year-round, ideal for those seeking a tropical vibe.

» Brownsville Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in one of the most inexpensive cities to live.

#2 Abilene: $196,495

Source: Designed by Freepik

Abilene is one of the cheapest places in Texas to live.

  • Median house rent is $1,300 | Rental prices range between $575 and $154,500.
  • Median home value of Abilene is $196,495.
  • Cost of living in Abilene is 19.8% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Abilene, TX: 79602 | 79606 | 79601

Abilene is one of the budget-friendly destinations in Texas. It also offers affordable healthcare which is 2% lower than the US average. Moreover, housing prices are also $164K less than the national median making it an affordable option to buy a house. You can get an estimate of property values with a free home worth estimator.

» Abilene Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of property listings in the Key City.

#3 Wichita Falls: $168,224

Source: Designed by Freepik

Wichita Falls is one of the cheapest cities to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,200 | Rental prices range between $500 and $3,950.
  • Median home value of Wichita Falls is $168,224.
  • Cost of living in Wichita Falls is 23.7% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Wichita Falls, TX: 76301 | 76310 | 76308

With rental costs below the national average, Wichita Falls stands as one of the most beautiful affordable places to live in Texas. It is a great place for nature lovers and those seeking calm and tranquility outside city life.

» Wichita Falls Homes for Sale: Find homes for sale in Texas.

#4 Lubbock: $206,875

Source: Designed by Freepik

Lubbock is one of the most inexpensive places to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,399 | Rental prices range between $215 and $9,900.
  • Median home value of Lubbock is $206,875.
  • Cost of living in Lubbock is 18.9% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Lubbock, TX: 79403 | 79404 | 79414

Monthly utility costs in Lubbock are quite affordable with 6.5% below the national average. The city also attracts visitors for skeleton and craft displays at the Museum of Texas Tech University. Apart from this, Lubbock is home to various shops, eateries, and entertainment options for recreation purpose.

🏡 Ready to Buy a Home in Texas?
Try Texas’s #1 Mortgage Calculator to see how much house you can afford. Get an instant amortization schedule and a detailed cost breakdown for free💲.

#5 San Angelo: $213,986

Source: Designed by Freepik

San Angelo is one of the places that offer affordable living in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,310 | Rental prices range between $250 and $4,500.
  • Median home value of San Angelo is $213,986.
  • Cost of living in San Angelo is 18.9% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in San Angelo, TX: 76903 | 76901 | 76904

Also known as “The Pearl of West Texas,” average cost of living in San Angelo is $1,972. Grocery expenses are also 7.6% lower than the national average. San Angelo’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation costs make the city as one of the cheapest places to live in the US.

» San Angelo Homes for Sale: Browse through thousands of properties in the Queen City.

#6 Pasadena: $221,232

Source: Designed by Freepik

Pasadena is one of the most affordable towns to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,610 | Rental prices range between $599 and $15,000.
  • Median home value of Pasadena is $221,232.
  • Cost of living in Pasadena is 3.1% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Pasadena, TX: 77506 | 77502 | 77505

With an average household income of $64,698, you can comfortably live in Pasadena. The city is a compelling real estate choice for outdoor enthusiasts as well. Pasadena is also famous for its parks and trails, which makes it a good place for retirees.

» Pasadena Homes for SaleFind a home in one of the cheapest towns to live in Texas.

#7 Killeen: $224,170

Source: Designed by Envato

Killeen is one of the most affordable places in TX.

  • Median house rent is $1,250 | Rental prices range between $425 and $3,250.
  • Median home value of Killeen is $224,170.
  • Cost of living in Killeen is 16.3% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Killeen, TX: 76542 | 76549 | 76543

Killeen’s utility costs are 20.8% less than the national average. You can also enjoy outdoor activities like boating and hiking. Apart from this, Killeen is home to major employers like Lone Star Realty and First National Bank Texas.

» Killeen Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in the cheapest city to live in Texas.

#8 Waco: $196,951

Source: Designed by Freepik

Waco is one of the cheapest places to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,495 | Rental prices range between $600 and $5,400.
  • Median home value of Waco is $196,951.
  • Cost of living in Waco is 16.6% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Waco, TX: 76708 | 76705 | 76710

Waco is centrally located between major cities like Dallas and Austin. It is home to renowned institutions like Baylor University. The cost of living is 16.6% lower than the national average. This makes Waco as an affordable option.

» Waco Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in the most affordable cities to live in Texas.

#9 Arlington: $317,398

Source: Designed by Freepik

Arlington is one of the cheap cities to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $2,075 | Rental prices range between $399 and $9,750.
  • Median home value of Arlington is $317,398.
  • Cost of living in Arlington is 3% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in Arlington, TX: 76017 | 76001 | 76016

The American Dream City’s housing and healthcare expenses are 12% and 0.7% lower than the national average respectively. Besides this, Finn Holding Corporation and Don Davis Auto Group are the two major employers in Arlington.

» Arlington Homes for Sale: Search houses in the cheapest area to live in Texas.

#10 El Paso: $223,427

Source: Designed by Freepik

El Paso is a cheap place to live in Texas.

  • Median house rent is $1,650 | Rental prices range between $331 and $5,635.
  • Median home value of El Paso is $223,427.
  • Cost of living in El Paso is 18.1% cheaper than the national average.
  • 3 popular zips in El Paso, TX: 79928 | 79938 | 79934

El Paso, TX is the 22nd largest city in the US. The housing, utilities, and healthcare costs are lower than the national median. Apart from this, Helen of Troy and El Paso Electric are two major employers in this city that boast many job opportunities.

» El Paso Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in one of the cheapest places to live in TX.

So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Texas?

If you want to move to Texas, you will find cheap houses for sale in Texas under 150K in cities like Brownsville, Abilene, and Wichita Falls. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other Texas cities.

Cities like Arlington and Killeen are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Texas.

Get a Home Loan in Texas🏡

Select Your Loan Type

  • new-purchase active New Home Purchase
  • new-purchase active Mortgage Refinance
  • new-purchase active Cash-out Refinance
Please select a Loan Type first
⚡With Houzeo, you can start your home-buying journey in less than 2 minutes.

📢 Check Out Budget-Friendly Homes for Sale in Texas

Here are a few options of cheap houses for sale in TX.

Homes For Sale in Texas under $100KHomes For Sale in Texas under $150KHomes For Sale in Texas under $200K
Homes For Sale in Texas under $250KHomes For Sale in Texas under $300KHomes For Sale in Texas under $350K

» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.

Find an Affordable House With Houzeo

With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and other types of tiny homes for sale in Texas on Houzeo.

Find Your Dream Home 🏡

View 196,503 Homes For Sale in Texas

Where do you want to live?

Please enter valid address

» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in Texas’ competitive housing market.

Research Methodology

To rank the top cities in Texas, we analyzed the northern, central, and southern regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.

  • Population: World Population Review  [1]
  • Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
  • Median Rent: Zillow [3]
  • Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the least expensive place to live in Texas?

The cheapest place to live in Texas is Waco. It offers affordable transportation, which is 27.7% lower than the national average.

» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Texas: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Texas.

Where is the best place to live in Texas?

The best place to live in Texas is Austin, followed by Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Plano, Houston, Fort Wort, Frisco and McAllen.

Is Texas the cheapest place to live in?

No, it is not. The median home value is $301,627. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.

Which Texas city has the lowest cost of living?

Brownsville has the lowest cost of living, which is 25.1% and 20.5% lower than the national and state average, respectively.

Cross

Save $20

On any Houzeo plan

Use Coupon Code:

Copied
4.9 out of 5 Star Rated Houzeo Concierge

Need help? Call us on

(844) 448-0110