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.
Cheapest Places to Live in Texas in 2025
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.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | $43,174 | $230,000 | 189,382 | 5.0% | 26.1% |
| Abilene | $54,493 | $223,000 | 127,385 | 3.2% | 15.9% |
| Wichita Falls | $50,856 | $176,450 | 102,664 | 3.8% | 17.8% |
| Lubbock | $54,060 | $225,000 | 263,930 | 3.9% | 19.3% |
| San Angelo | $59,148 | $225,000 | 99,112 | 3.4% | 11.8% |
| Pasadena | $64,698 | $245,000 | 147,662 | 6.0% | 18.0% |
| Killeen | $57,086 | $250,000 | 159,172 | 5.3% | 16.0% |
| Waco | $47,421 | $201,700 | 144,816 | 3.7% | 24.8% |
| Arlington | $71,736 | $322,876 | 398,431 | 3.5% | 13% |
| El Paso | $55,710 | $223,913 | 678,958 | 3.9% | 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
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
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
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
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.
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#5 San Angelo: $213,986
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
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 Sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest towns to live in Texas.
#7 Killeen: $224,170
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
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
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
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.
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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.
