10 Best Places to Live in Texas, According to Local Real Estate Experts

Texas is drawing in new residents every day, whether it’s those who want to dodge frigid winters and state income tax or those chasing a lower cost of living. And while the big cities are still bustling, the state has plenty of small towns and suburbs that offer a slower pace of life while still providing entertainment, dining, highly rated schools, and culture. Green spaces are abundant, offering active families, couples, and retirees endless places to exercise and explore, and new, master-planned communities are being built constantly, offering new homes for residents.

Whether you’re interested in a growing suburb outside of the big city, a small town with plenty of Texas charm, or a scenic spot in nature, you’ll find it in Texas. We chatted with real estate experts across the state to bring you the best places to live in Texas right now.

Fort Worth

A person on a horse in Fort Worth’s Live Stock Exchange.

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Recently surpassing Austin in population, Fort Worth is now the fourth-largest city in Texas behind Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. About 30 minutes west of Dallas, Fort Worth still gives off that small-town feeling, where Western culture, a strong job market, and affordability collide. “Fort Worth has this rare mix of big-city opportunity and small-town charm,” says Selene Crow, a licensed realtor with Realty of America who has been helping families in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas since 2017. “You’ll find everything from world-class museums and live music to rodeos and local festivals. It’s a place where culture, career opportunities, and quality of life all meet.” You’ll also find that it’s more affordable than Dallas and many surrounding suburbs, meaning you’ll get more home for your money without sacrificing convenience. “Families love the highly rated schools and family-friendly neighborhoods, and young professionals and couples are drawn to walkable districts, local dining, and a growing job market,” she says. New master communities with modern amenities are continuously being built, while historic neighborhoods with character offer adorable forever homes. Plus, there are lots of neighborhoods close to highways for commuters.

Pflugerville

Aerial view of a residential neighborhood in Pflugerville.

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About 20 miles northeast of Austin, Pflugerville is a thriving suburb with German heritage, which is celebrated at the yearly Deutschen Pfest. The city has a low crime rate, highly ranked schools, and takes the title of Trail Capital of Texas, with over 56 miles of trails. Lots of outdoor activities make the city a win for families, retirees, and couples, and the proximity to Austin is a perk for commuters and those looking for more affordable homes outside the capital. Add in attractions like Typhoon Texas and shopping and entertainment at Stone Hill Town Center, and you see why the city appeals to a wide array of homebuyers.

Frisco

An Oktoberfest celebration in Frisco, Texas.

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Home to The Star (the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility), PGA Frisco, Toyota Stadium (home to FC Dallas), and the soon-to-come Universal Kids Resort, Frisco is undoubtedly booming. Its schools are ranked among the best in Texas, and the job market is exploding, with jobs in information technology, finance, and healthcare on the rise. “Frisco just keeps getting better and better. It’s so much cooler than when I first moved here in the ‘90s,” says Carrie Himel, a Frisco-based realtor with the Carrie Himel Group. “Singles and young couples enjoy the dining, shopping, and social scene. Families love the top-rated schools, youth sports culture, and endless parks and trails. And retirees are drawn to golf, pickleball, healthcare access, and a strong sense of community,” she says. Find new, single-family homes in master-planned communities, luxury golf course properties, low-maintenance townhomes, and 55-and-over neighborhoods for active adults. “That mix of lifestyle, amenities, and options is why people are drawn here, and why so many choose to stay.”

Sugar Land

A fountain in Sugar Land Town Square.

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Just southwest of Houston, Sugar Land is a suburb that gives commuters a bit of extra space outside the big city. Families love the city for its outdoor spaces and entertainment. There’s a pump track for cycling enthusiasts, multiple golf courses, and you can catch a Minor League Baseball game and see the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in action. Lots of planned and gated communities, such as Riverstone, are popping up, giving families safe and modern housing options, and there are great condos and apartments in Sugar Land Town Square. Houston’s Energy Corridor—home to BP, Shell, and ConocoPhillips—is just 20 miles north, and shopping, downtown entertainment, and restaurants are plentiful.

Round Rock

Aerial view of the Round Rock water tower.

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20 miles north of Austin, Round Rock is known as the Sports Capital of Texas due to its numerous sports facilities and sporting events, ranging from youth and amateur sports to the big leagues. The city is home to Dell Diamond, home of the Round Rock Express Minor League Baseball team, and the multi-use Round Rock Multipurpose Complex and the indoor Round Rock Sports Center. The presence of global companies like Dell means the city has a growing economy, which attracts families and young professionals. “The thriving local economy, highly acclaimed Round Rock school district, higher education campuses, award-winning parks and recreation system, and extensive hike and bike trails throughout the city are an invitation to families,” says Carol Chafin, a local realtor with Summit Realtors. “Round Rock is known for safe neighborhoods and more affordable housing, and as the growth continues, more master-planned communities are coming.”

The city is also popular with retirees, as they enjoy Round Rock’s affordability, state-of-the-art healthcare, outdoor recreation, shopping, and central location with easy access to Austin. “The vibrant downtown, Minor League at Dell Diamond, and the water park at Kalahari Resort appeal to all ages.”

Plano

People walking along a street in Plano, Texas.

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20 miles north of Dallas is Plano, the Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas, named for its annual Plano Balloon Festival. Even though Plano is a suburb of Dallas, you’ll find that many residents don’t commute to Dallas, instead working within Plano’s strong job market. The city has excellent public schools, top-notch hospitals, and a wide range of housing options, from luxury apartments and small starter homes to large properties fit for big families. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants and bars, which appeal to couples and families, plus parks and bike trails. And for those looking to commute to Dallas, the city has Dallas Area Rapid Transit, which has light rail, bus, and on-demand mobility options.

The Woodlands

A walkway along the water in The Woodlands.

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Just north of the bustling city of Houston is The Woodlands, a master-planned community with plenty of green spaces and bodies of water. More than 200 miles of trails and 150 parks make it a great community for families, and young professionals love the shopping here, with spots like Market Street providing top brands. More than 200 restaurants, over a dozen community pools, and access to golf courses also appeal to families, retirees, and couples, and a growing job market with employers such as ExxonMobil, Chevron-Phillips, Conroe ISD, and numerous hospitals make it a desirable suburb outside of Houston.

San Antonio

People walking along The Pearl district in San Antonio.

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As the second-largest city in Texas, San Antonio has more than 300 years of history, which can be observed through its numerous world-class museums, beautiful missions, and annual events like Fiesta Noche del Rio. There’s always something to do here, whether it’s tackling the local food scene, which is heavily influenced by the city’s Mexican culture, catching a San Antonio Spurs game during basketball season, strolling the River Walk for shopping and dining, or taking the kids to city attractions like Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the DoSeum. Apartments and condos, starter homes, elegant estates, and numerous subdivisions give an array of housing options.

McAllen

A street in downtown McAllen, Texas.

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On the Texas-Mexico border, McAllen is a bicultural city where Hispanic heritage is celebrated. Many winter Texans flock to the city to escape colder temperatures up north, and Mexican citizens also frequent the city for shopping and business. McAllen is about an hour and a half from the Gulf of Mexico, making weekend beach trips easy. There’s also Town Lake at Fireman’s Park, where you can kayak and spend time outdoors. Retirees love the birding scene here, as the city in the Rio Grande Valley is in a major bird migration corridor. Excellent medical facilities, lots of retail, and a young Mexican American community appeal to couples, retirees, and families.

Flower Mound

Aerial view of a neighborhood park in Flower Mound, Texas.

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North of Dallas and Fort Worth, Flower Mound is an in-between city that suits many commuters heading east or west for work, and it’s only about 10 miles from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. It consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in Texas with a low crime rate and has a lower tax rate compared to other North Texas cities. “The location of Flower Mound offers easy access to major highways, providing simple travel to both Dallas and Fort Worth as well as surrounding metropolitan areas,” says Eric Oss, marketing director for The Rhodes Team. “From townhome opportunities including the Flower Mound Riverwalk and Lakeside DFW to community staple subdivisions such as Wellington and Bridlewood, there are offerings for all types of buyers, ranging from a first-time buyer looking for a great starter home, to luxury buyers in the market for multi-million-dollar properties on acreage,” says Oss.