Are you thinking about a move to Texas? Take advantage of the state’s overall appeal as one of the top destinations in the USA.
Let’s discuss every vital detail you need to know about moving to Texas, the best long-distance movers to Texas for hire, and more! Securing an exciting, rewarding experience in America’s second-largest state has never been so easy!
Table of Contents
Texas: An Overview
Texas promises a rich blend of ultra-modern cities and undisturbed natural centers with diverse landscapes scattered across its regions. Many of the state’s breathtaking environments traverse different US locations.
The state boasts a breathtaking mix of population centers nestled in former prairies, while many areas still have untouched grasslands and forests. Texas also has a fascinating coastline with Mexico at its southeastern edge.
Texas boasts an estimated population of 30 million people, making it one of the most vibrant states in America. Texas has been under the control of Spanish, French, Mexican, and three other authorities since its founding, making it one of America’s most culturally diverse states.
In terms of weather, Texas has a bit of everything. The state experiences a mix of dry, rainy, and snow seasons yearly. Temperatures in summer mostly range between 80°F and 100°F, with a sharp drop experienced during the wet and snowy months.
If you’re planning to move to Texas, the state will surely fascinate you with its awe-inspiring landscapes, diverse cultures, and an opportunity to lead a fulfilling life in the South Central.
Why Move to Texas?
Many people consider relocating to Texas for purely economic reasons, but the state has so much more to offer.
See the other top Texas attractions you can indulge in for an exciting experience:
- Booming economy: Texas has ever-growing economy with some of America’s highest job numbers on record. You’ll be able to find a job easily, especially if you’re educated and/or willing to put in the work.
- Dynamic sports-loving culture: Sports bars are very common in Texas and the state is home to some of America’s best sports teams. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll have plenty of enjoyable moments in this southern state!
- Affordable housing: Texas offers some of the lowest prices to own a home in America. With home prices rising dramatically in recent years, this is a benefit that nobody should underestimate.
- Diverse culture: There are people from all cultures and races in Texas. If an international community is what you’re after, you’ll find that in Texas. You’ll have the option to learn about different cultures and taste their cuisines!
- Low taxes: Texas puts more money in the pockets of its labor force through income tax waivers. Similarly to Florida, the state’s zero income-tax is one of its major financial benefits.
- Security: Many neighborhoods in Texas are relatively safe with some of the lowest crime rates in America. If you’re moving to Texas with a family or a significant other, security is as important as anything else.
- Delicious food: Indulge in a rich menu of diverse meals specially prepared to satisfy your cravings. You’ll find just about all the different cuisines and meals in Texas.
Moving cross country to Texas gives you several options to unwind, relax, get entertainment, gain from the state’s economic boom, and upgrade your lifestyle in ways you never imagined!
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Texas?
The cost of moving to Texas varies depending on your preferred moving option and other factors. On average, it could cost between $430 and $3,500 to move to Texas. Costs could rise as high as $12,000 if you’re moving large items from a distant state to any location in Texas.
Hauling services could cost between $150 and $400 per hour, depending on your chosen service.
Other factors like the size, distance, and type of moving service you need directly influence the final cost. Including packing and unpacking services or opting to move in wet weather or snow could increase these costs.
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| 100 miles | $430 – $1,400 | $1,150 – $1,600 | $1,400 – $3,200 |
| 250 miles | $1,300 – $1,900 | $1,400 – $3,400 | $2,000 – $4,600 |
| 1,000 miles+ | $1,500 – $2,900 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $5,400 – $7,800 |
| 2,500 miles+ | $1,700 – $3,700 | $3,800 – $7,600 | $8,600 – $12,000 |
Our Most Recommended Long-Distance Movers to Texas
Picking the right long-distance mover is essential to gain total comfort when migrating to Texas. A few smart moving tips for Texas newcomers is choosing the best companies and getting your stuff hauled during the dry season.
Get moving quotes from a few companies and compare them. You can use a moving cost calculator to assess the quotes better. See our most recommended cross-country movers to Texas below:
Moving APT
- Competitive pricing
- Free online estimates
Native Van Lines
- Free 30 day storage
- Large network of movers
Adams Van Lines
- Customized moves
- Binding estimates
Pros of Moving Long Distance to Texas
1. Waived income tax
Texas doesn’t collect income tax from residents, allowing its workers greater control over their finances. The state runs its operations through sales and property taxes.
2. Vibrant economy
The Texas economy is one of America’s best with tens of thousands of jobs added each month and a low unemployment rate at 4%.
3. Diverse climate
You can experience any weather you want while in Texas. The state gives you a rare opportunity to witness full summers, spring, fall, and winter seasons across its regions.
4. Budget housing
Texas has some of the most appealing rent prices among states in America. On average, a one-bedroom is available for $760 per month, while home rentals start from about $1200 every month. The median price listing for a property in Texas currently hovers around $345,000.
Cons of Moving to Texas
1. Rising living costs
Living in Texas is affordable in comparison to other states but prices of essential services are currently rising.
2. Fewer community benefits
Texas doesn’t collect income tax but this means the state has a smaller budget for investment in public services. The smaller budget means fewer investments in healthcare, transportation, education, and other essential public services.
3. High property taxes
The Texas real estate market attracts high property taxes. Many Texan counties charge up to 1.9% of a property’s market valuation each year in taxes. However, rates charged in rural areas are relatively lower, falling to 1% in some cases.
4. Costly healthcare services
Texas opted not to accommodate eligibility requirements for Medicaid, meaning many Texans will pay more for healthcare services. Basic healthcare services for a middle-aged adult living in Texas cost about $500 on average.
Pros
- No income tax
- Vibrant economy
- Diverse climate
- Budget housing
Cons
- High property taxes
- Fewer community benefits
- Rising living costs
- Costly healthcare services
What's the Cost of Living in Texas?
Texas living costs rank lower than the national average. Major population centers like San Antonio, El Paso, and Houston rank between 8% and 10% lower. However, some popular locations like Austin, Dallas, and Piano rank higher than the national average in living costs.
Housing expenses provide a significant relief for residents with low rent and property listing prices in many popular areas across the state.
Property taxes are quite high and Texas still ranks among the top seven most expensive states in this regard. However, people over 65 can get tax waivers that allow the deferment of property taxes until after their death and estate settlement.
The state’s bustling industries and economy attract massive population influx from other states that affect the price of essential services like healthcare, transportation, utilities, etc.
However, average prices for essential utilities like electricity (estimated annual costs at $1900) fall below the national average.
Transportation costs for a single adult hovers around $5,500 per year and could rise to $15,000 for a family of four. Gas costs are around $3 per gallon, making it one of America’s cheapest states to get gasoline.
Regarding food prices, an adult could spend up to $3,960 every year on food alone (about $330 per month). A family of four may need to spend up to $11,600 per year on food (around $960 every month).
On average, the total cost of living in Texas for a family of four could reach $4,300 per month or $51,600 annually (excluding rent). A single person could live in Texas with monthly costs around $1,200 or $14,400 annually.
What Are the Best Neighborhoods to Live in Texas?
1. Highland Park
Highland Park is at the heart of Dallas County and ranks high among the best places to live in Texas. The suburban location has an estimated population of about 9,000 residents with several high-quality public services in the area.
Highland Park is a desirable neighborhood for many Texans due to its scenic environment, decent infrastructure, and many access roads to major population centers in the city.
2. River Oaks
People in River Oaks, Houston live in an environment nestled by natural parks and unspoiled gardens. The neighborhood has several upscale stores, fine dining restaurants, and cultural museums with diverse Texas attractions on display.
It is one of the most high-class neighborhoods in Texas and houses many of the state’s wealthiest families.
3. Southlake
Southlake is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Tarrant County, Texas. It is a suburban neighborhood with a population of around 33,000 people living in exclusive residential areas.
Hundreds of single-family properties are in the neighborhood and offer many options for people planning to move to Texas.
4. Preston Highlands
Preston Highlands is a beautiful neighborhood in northern Dallas and offers many exciting attractions for people looking to live there. The neighborhood possesses several exit points leading toward major urban centers and offers many top-notch public services to residents.
Many families from Texas and outside the state prefer this neighborhood as it offers many essential services and many relaxation spots for singles, couples, and families.
5. The Woodlands
The Woodlands is a planned 27-acre community in Texas and one of the top places to live in Houston. Residents of this location have direct access to some of the state’s top properties, refreshing Texas attractions, and a growing community of suburban families.
How Is the Job Market in Texas?
Texas has one of the country’s biggest job markets, making it an instant hit for job seekers planning to move. An abundance of Texas job opportunities consistently pushes the unemployment rate below the national average.
Texas has had an unemployment rate between 3.9% and 4.1% for several months, owing to many job opportunities available in various industries.
If you’re planning to get a job in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and other metropolitan areas, you’ll get many openings available in commerce and technology sectors.
The blue-collar industry also has many job openings available in suburban and rural areas looking for professionals in different fields.
Job seekers can get several opportunities in areas like Odessa and Midland, some areas with the lowest unemployment rates in Texas. Many job postings are also available in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area where unemployment numbers have steadied a little above 4% for many months.
Job opportunities in the tourism, technology, and healthcare industries are available in places like El Paso, Austin-Round Rock, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, and many other locations in the state.
What Is Texas Most Known For?
1. Rich cowboy culture
Texas is world-renowned for its rich cowboy culture, which forms a huge part of the state’s heritage and history. These cattle herders are still functional on the countryside, mostly in areas across southern and southwestern Texas.
Many events celebrate this rich Texas culture across the state with hosted rodeos, music shows, costume fairs, and more
2. Delicious cuisine
Texas offers a long list of mouthwatering dishes you can’t ignore. Texas is popular for its spicy chilis like the Tex-Mex, kolaches, chicken-fried steak, special Texas barbecue, and many other popular meals.
3. Vast landmass and wildlife
Texas is America’s second largest state and is home to a rich collection of diverse flora and fauna. Many of the state’s landscapes feature breathtaking mountains with underlying criss crossing rivers, vast desert areas, thick forests, and so much more.
Exploring Texas provides a rich blend of everything you’ve always wanted to see from one of America’s most diverse states.
What Are the Best Schools & Universities in Texas?
The Texas education system is one of America’s best with top institutions scattered across the state. These schools offer the best opportunity to boost the personal and academic development of your school-age children:
1. UT Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is one of America’s top colleges with over 170 study fields taught at this institution. UT Austin also offers 1000+ student groups and multiple research opportunities for robust learning outcomes.
2. Texas A&M
Texas A&M is a popular college known for their diverse academic programs, massive student community, and multiple extracurricular activities.
The school promises students many opportunities to develop in their chosen field of study with professional teaching approaches for maximum results.
3. Rice University
Students at Rice University can get access to the institution’s popular financial aid program, high-quality residential college system and other great perks.
The school operates a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring total comfort and optimal learning outcomes for all students.
There are 230+ colleges in Texas with many more pre-school and high schools in the state. The massive list of schools in Texas guarantees your children diverse opportunities to get unrivaled academic growth.
Is Moving to Texas Worth It?
Moving to Texas is undoubtedly worth a thought, especially if you need to live in a place with a rich, diverse culture and many opportunities.
While the state has a higher property tax ranking than other locations, it makes up for it with no income taxes, a solid job market, many opportunities in various industry, and a decent annual salary average of about $61,400. If you’re serious about the move, create a moving checklist before proceeding.
You could be drawn to the suburbs in Austin and San Antonio or move to semi-urban or rural centers in El Paso and surrounding locations. One thing is certain – Texas offers a world of opportunities and a captivating environment for anyone keen to live and work in the Lone Star State.
