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Best Place To Buy A House In Texas (Cost Of Living, Job Market, And Safety)

Written by Victor Steffen

Victor Steffen

Realtor and investor with experience in 5 states

Expertise

  • Award-winning realtor (EXP Realty Icon Award 2021 – 2024)
  • Featured on BiggerPockets, GRID Investor, The Finance Cowboy
  • Bought and sold over 60 properties
  • Author of The Book on Texas Real Estate Investing: A No-Nonsense Guide for Professionals Buying Their First Out-of-State Deal
  • Expert in finding cashflow-positive deals in Texas
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,
Reviewed by Tyler Hodgson ,

Tyler Hodgson

Executive Vice President of Growth at UMortgage

Expertise

  • Founded and scaled Texas’ #1 mortgage brokerage
  • EVP of Growth at UMortgage, leading nationwide expansion
  • Ranked on Scotsman Guide every year since 2018
  • Licensed CPA with a Master’s in Finance from UNT
  • Coaches loan officers on production, growth, and culture
Read bio
Jay Voorhees ,

Jay Voorhees

Broker & Founder of JVM Lending
NMLS# 310167

Expertise

  • 30+ years in the mortgage and banking industry
  • Co-founder of JVM Lending, active in multiple states
  • Has funded over $8 billion in mortgage loans
  • Author of a widely read daily mortgage and economics blog
  • Holds a JD and BA in Economics with a background at Wells Fargo
Read bio
Heejin Kim

Heejin Kim

Co-founder and Division Direct at JVM Lending
NMLS# 325464

Expertise

  • 35+ years of mortgage industry experience
  • Co-founder of JVM Lending, known for tech-driven operations
  • Built and sold a 50+ employee mortgage company by 2004
  • Top-producing loan officer in the Bay Area since the 1990s
  • Expert in mortgage systems, processes, and efficiency
  • Leads innovation and growth at JVM Lending since 2007
Read bio
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Key takeaways:

  • Texas boasts an array of cities with varying home prices and lifestyles, so consider things like affordability, safety, and job markets when considering options.
  • Austin, Dallas, and Houston are prime locations for real estate investment as they offer robust economies and growing populations.
  • Market trends and seasonality play a big role in the best time to buy, with affordable cities like Wichita Falls and Killeen standing as great options.
  • We are investor-friendly real estate agents ready to help property investors of all kinds find their feet in the Texas market.

Best Place To Buy A House In Texas

Texas is home to various prime locations to buy a house, and Austin, Dallas, and Houston are some of the most popular ones.

  • Austin: Known for its tech industry and high quality of life, this is a great city to consider, though homes tend to be on the pricier side.
  • Dallas: Here you will find a good balance between affordability and economic opportunity, with numerous suburban communities and a strong job market.
  • Houston: The largest city in the state, Houston is known for its strong energy sector and below-average home prices compared to other major cities.

When considering the best place to buy investment property in Texas, or your next home, understand that these cities have different things to offer. Explore their lifestyles, amenities, and cost of living, but rest assured they all offer expanding job markets and high housing demand.

Where Is The Safest Place To Buy A House In Texas?

According to Safewise, the safest city in Texas is Melissa, with only 0.2 violent crimes per 100,000 citizens. Other areas known for their safety include Plano, Frisco, and Pearland, known for their low crime rates and strong community spirit.

  • Plano: Consistently ranked as one of the state’s safest cities, Plano offers excellent schools, parks, and amenities that make it a family-friendly city.
  • Frisco: This is a fast-growing city, but it retains a strong sense of safety that makes it very appealing for young families.
  • Pearland: Situated near Houston, this city boasts low crime rates and family-friendly neighborhoods but still offers convenient access to big-city amenities.

When exploring the best place to buy a house in Texas, crime rates, school quality, and community involvement are all factors that affect safety. Pay attention to them and seek the opinions of residents about how safe they feel.

What Cities Have The Most Affordable Housing Market In Texas?

Texas offers a number of options for affordable housing. Cities like San Antonio and Midland-Odessa are stand-out choices.

  • San Antonio: Known for its rich cultural history and lower-than-average home prices, this is an excellent choice for families and first-time buyers.
  • Midland-Odessa: While primarily an oil and gas hub, this city has relatively affordable real estate and is particularly attractive for people seeking to settle in a more industrialized region.

Compared to cities like Austin or Dallas, you will find a much lower cost of living in these cities, but there is still an abundance of job opportunities and community amenities. As investor-friendly real estate agents in Texas, we offer unique expertise in single-family, duplex, triplex, and quadplex investing, helping our clients tap into the rich resources of affordable cities and their appeal to a wide range of buyers and renters.

Factors To Consider Before Choosing The Best Housing Market In Texas

When looking to find the best housing market in Texas, the following factors should all play a part in your analysis:

  • Climate
  • Cost of living
  • Amenities

In the northern regions of Texas, you will find cities that experience all four seasons, while further south you find cities like Houston that are warmer all year round.

Cost of living varies significantly based on a number of factors. Cities like Austin tend to be pricier due to high demand, while San Antonio and smaller towns generally offer more affordable living options. Urban areas are abundant with job opportunities and cultural scenes, but suburban regions offer more space and a slower pace of life.

Buyers need to weigh their lifestyle preferences when exploring Texas real estate investment properties or new homes. Is the hustle and bustle of the big city more appealing, or are you more drawn to quiet suburban living?

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What Is The Best Time To Buy A House In Texas?

The ideal time to buy a house in Texas is usually in the fall and winter months as this is when the market slows down. Buyers are more likely to be able to negotiate better deals at these times. The real estate market becomes much busier in the spring and summer, so competition is high and prices become inflated. This is generally seen as when to sell investment property in Texas, but not the ideal time to buy it.

Buyers are likely to find better opportunities for negotiation and price reductions in the fall. The winter months have even lower demand, so it may be easier to secure favorable terms, but there will be significantly fewer properties on the market at this time.

Basing your purchasing decisions around seasonal trends can help you avoid the competitive summer rush. But it is also important to analyze market trends closely to find periods when economic conditions have pulled real estate prices down – we can help with this side of market analysis to assist real estate investors in finding prospects.

Seasonal Factors That Can Affect Housing Prices In Texas

As mentioned, seasonal factors can play a significant role in housing prices across Texas. During the spring and summer, we have a period when families look to relocate before the school year begins. This leads to higher prices and bidding wars as the market heats up and many sellers seize the opportunity to try and get the best possible price for their homes.

In the fall and winter, we usually see fewer buyers on the market. People are less enthusiastic about making a big move during the cooler months, and schools are in full flow at this time of year. The market is less active at these times, so prices are lower and it can be a good opportunity to negotiate a good deal.

Weather conditions like hurricane season in southern Texas can affect market price. Northern Texas, meanwhile, can be affected by winter storms or milder weather patterns. Timing a property purchase around seasonal trends can give you a competitive edge.

austin tx at night for best place to buy a house in texas

Where Should I Build A House In Texas?

If you are considering building a house in Texas, there are excellent opportunities in northern regions like North Texas, Central Texas, and Hill Country.

  • North Texas: This includes cities like Dallas and Frisco, where there is plenty of land and opportunities for new constriction and good access to urban amenities.
  • Central Texas: Austin and its surrounding areas are ideal for people who seek a mix of city life and scenic surroundings.
  • Hill Country: Here you will find stunning landscapes and a peaceful, rural setting with good access to major cities.

It’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of building versus buying. According to The Mortgage Reports, building a new home costs $34,000 more, on average, than purchasing an existing home. However, building offers more opportunities to tailor the home to your needs, so there is a lot to consider in this debate.

Is North Texas The Best Region To Build A House?

North Texas is, undoubtedly, an excellent region for building a home. It has a growing economy and outstanding availability of land. There are various cities that offer a mix of suburban living and access to the amenities of Dallas, and the ones that are showing the greatest expansion currently include:

  • Frisco
  • McKinney
  • Prosper

There is plenty of land still available for development in North Texas, so it offers potential homeowners and real estate investors the space and flexibility to design homes whilst tapping into the benefits of a booming job market.

Beyond this, the area offers fantastic infrastructure, schools, and community services. All in all, North Texas is a very good option for investors and prospective homeowners looking to build. It should definitely be on your radar if you are exploring the best housing markets in Texas for building new properties.

Which Cities In Texas Are Booming Right Now For Housing Markets?

The cities in Texas that are currently showing the most growth include Austin, Frisco, and Fort Worth. There are different reasons for their popularity, but they each offer something special for buyers and investors.

  • Austin: With its booming tech industry, the city continues to attract new residents in large numbers, making it one of the state’s hottest real estate prospects.
  • Frisco: This popular Dallas suburb is experiencing rapid growth due to its strong job market, excellent schools, and family-friendly communities.
  • Fort Worth: As buyers look for more affordable alternatives to Dallas, Fort Worth emerges as a great option, so home construction and development is happening apace.

Houston is another strong option, and we can offer guidance for clients on flipping houses in Houston for maximum profit. All these cities are attracting buyers with their job opportunities, quality of life and potential for future appreciation.

Hidden Gem Cities To Watch In 2025 And Beyond

Beyond the major metros, there are several lesser-known Texas cities emerging as exciting prospects for homebuyers and investors. Cities that are poised for rapid growth due to major infrastructure investments and business relocations include:

  • New Braunfels: Positioned between Austin and San Antonio, this city is drawing attention for its scenic appeal and expanding job market.
  • Temple: This benefits from proximity to healthcare and manufacturing hubs.
  • Sherman: There has been a surge in interest here following the announcement of new semiconductor plants in the region.

These cities still offer relatively low house prices and strong future appreciation potential. This makes them ideal for forward-thinking buyers. Keep an eye on these mid-sized markets to gain a strategic edge in a competitive landscape.

When you work with us as your investor-friendly real estate agents, you can keep up with emerging markets that are fertile ground for property investment in this ever-changing industry.

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Best Place For First-Time Homebuyers In Texas

If you are a first-time buyer in Texas, you should cast your eye over cities like Wichita Falls, Killeen, and McAllen. With good mixes of affordability, quality of life, and potential for future appreciation, they are all very strong prospects.

  • Wichita Falls: Here you will find some of the most affordable housing in Texas, so it is perfect for buyers on a tight budget.
  • Killeen: The home of Fort Hood, this city has a stable job market and offers affordable real estate for military families in particular.
  • McAllen: This southern Texas city offers low-cost housing and a warm climate, so it appeals to both young professionals and retirees.

These cities tend to offer various programs and incentives tailored to the needs of first-time buyers. These include things like down payment assistance and lower interest rates, aimed at making homeownership more accessible.

As of 2025, cities like Lubbock and Bryan-College Station are also gaining ground among first-time buyers. Lubbock offers affordable home prices, a youthful population, and expanding industries beyond education and agriculture. Bryan-College Station, meanwhile, is benefiting from Texas A&M’s growth, which brings economic stability and robust rental demand.

Why Is Texas A Great State For Housing?

Texas is particularly appealing for its unique balance of a strong economy, affordable housing, and attractive lifestyle amenities. These are the things that make it a great state for purchasing a home.

Investors are drawn to Texas real estate investment properties because of things like:

  • The lack of state income tax
  • The booming job market
  • Affordable housing options

Cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston attract residents from all over the country due to the fantastic career opportunities there. The state also offers business-friendly policies, diverse culture, and a mild climate that further boost its appeal.

Whether you’re a property investor, a young professional, a growing family, or a retiree, Texas provides many affordable and desirable real estate options. This is why it remains one of the most sought-after states both for home ownership and real estate investment.

an overhead view of san antonio for best place to buy a house in texas

Is It Better To Buy A Home In Austin Or Dallas?

In an analysis of Dallas vs Austin real estate investment, there are many factors to consider, and the same goes if you are looking to buy your home in either of these great cities.

  • Austin: Known for its thriving tech industry and eclectic culture, Austin also offers an abundance of outdoor activities and serves as a great place for young professionals and creatives. However, house prices tend to be quite high there due to the demand for properties.
  • Dallas: Here you will find a more affordable housing landscape and a diverse economy, where industries like finance, healthcare, and education are the main drivers. It also offers a more traditional suburban lifestyle with good schools and family-friendly communities.

Both cities have their pros and cons, but the decision comes down to your personal preferences and financial means.

 

Frequently asked questions

What Is The Best Place To Buy A House In Texas?

The best place to buy a house in Texas depends on your goals. Austin is great for tech professionals, while Dallas is ideal for balancing affordability with career opportunities, and San Antonio is great for families seeking a lower cost of living.

What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying A House In Texas?

You should take into account things like job opportunities, cost of living, safety, and quality of life when choosing where to buy a house. Consider whether you prefer an urban or suburban environment.

Positive Cashflow in Appreciating Markets

Ready to invest in central Texas real estate?

Schedule a call