Texas has always remained an attractive state for reasons that include good climate, low state taxes, affordable housing, exciting cities, and plenty to do.

Living in Texas is an ideal choice for millions of people, regardless of whether they were born here or transplant. In fact, Texas is the second-most populous state in the nation behind California.

According to the 2020 estimate from the US Census, nearly 30 million people call Texas home, and that number is multiplying by the day.
This Southern state is not just great in size, but in countless other areas as well: a variety of nature, tons of things to do, plentiful places to explore, and, of course, its rich and unique history. Deep in the heart of Texas are prairies, forests, rugged hills, desert land, a coastline and grasslands that give residents multiple venues to enjoy life. Major industries in Texas include agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers, aerospace, and biomedicine. The Lone Star State houses four national research universities along with a variety of professional and college sports teams.

If you’re moving to Texas, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.

Local public transportation – including buses, light rail, and trains – is available only in major cities, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and even then it is not always comprehensive or necessarily traveler friendly. Operating hours differ from city to city, but in general, services run from about 6 am to 10 pm. Basic fares average between $1.25 and $2.

Texas’ public transit still has a long way to go to come close to what other US big cities have to offer. Because jobs are abundant, and Texas’ population is ample, you might spend a good deal of time in traffic.

There are two major highways in Texas: the I-10 runs east-west, and I-35 runs north-south. Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio have major traffic problems, but traffic is still much more reasonable than in big cities like Los Angeles or NYC. 

Texas offers a varied landscape, both in terms of terrain and cost of living. To get a sense of the overall cost of living in The Lone Star State, you need to delve into not only state-wide metrics, but also those of individual municipalities. While Texas has plenty of large cities, there are also places where prices and wages are rather low.

Overall, Texas is a favorable state for renters. More specifically, the median rate for studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms is $796, $863 and $1,513, respectively, according to Apartment List data from 2021. When compared to the national averages of $827, $947 and $1,175 for the same apartment types, things look pretty good here.

Texas is famous for its cuisine, which ranges from Tex-Mex to barbecue to chili to Texas toast. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult with no children living in Texas should expect to spend $3,278 on food in a year. On the other hand, a family of two working adults with two children will spend $8,822 on food per year.