7 Top Reasons to Move to Texas This Year
By Aaron Randolph on March 08, 2024
Texas may be known for BBQ and football, but The Lone Star State also boasts a prosperous tech economy in Austin, international cuisine in Houston, and a wide array of housing options.
In recent decades, folks have relocated to Texas from states like New York, Florida, and California. Some are drawn to Texas for modern mansions in major cities like Houston. For others, Texas offers high-end condos near vibrant nightlife in downtown Austin or Dallas.
Whether you’re hoping to upgrade your square footage, enjoy beach days by the Gulf of Mexico, or embark on a new career, living in Texas has plenty of benefits. Below, the team from Prevu Real Estate has compiled a list of the top reasons to move to Texas.
Top reasons to move to Texas
- No state income tax
- Pro-business environment
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant cities with diverse vibes
- Abundant housing stock
- Professional sports
- Unique culinary scene
No state income tax
One of the most compelling reasons to make Texas your home is the state's lack of income tax on wages, salaries, and other personal incomes.
Whether starting a new job in Dallas or working remotely from Austin, you'll keep more earnings when you buy a home in Texas. This financial advantage also extends to retirees since Texas doesn't tax Social Security benefits, IRAs, or pensions. Likewise, investors benefit from the absence of state taxes on dividends, capital gains, and interest income.
Beyond the tax benefits, Texas's cost of living and median home prices are notably below the national average. What’s more, sales tax in Texas generally doesn’t apply to groceries such as meat, vegetables, and dairy products. All of this comes together to make Texas an appealing destination for anyone looking for affordable housing options and hoping to preserve their wealth.
Pro-business environment
Texas extends the same tax-friendly attitude to businesses by not imposing state income taxes on corporations. Like individuals, businesses can retain more profits, encouraging them to expand or relocate to Texas.
To make things easier for corporations, the state government imposes fewer restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles than other states. For example, Texas holds lenient energy and zoning regulations for businesses, allowing them flexibility when choosing where and how to operate.
Beyond these regulatory advantages, Texas proactively attracts businesses through financial initiatives. The Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) is a state-operated initiative providing grants to businesses relocating or expanding within the state. Additionally, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) specifically aims to help technology companies. Likewise, the Texas Enterprise Zone Program (EZP) offers tax refunds to businesses that create jobs in economically distressed areas.
Thriving job market
Texas is a diverse state, boasting a booming economy thanks to its tax benefits and state incentives. In addition to fostering young companies, other important brands in Texas include Amazon, Tesla, Oracle, and HP, who hold corporate offices near Austin.
Prominent communication corporations like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, as well as major tech giants like Dell Technologies, have helped create an impressive technology sector, creating a robust job market for software developers, IT specialists, and data scientists.
Oil & gas companies have also become pillars of Houston's economy, where BP, Citgo, and ConocoPhillips have set up offices in the Energy Corridor along Interstate 10.
The availability of energy resources, coupled with the Gulf's mild climate and the proximity of NASA's Johnson Space Center, has earned Houston one of its many nicknames, "Space City." Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing all keep facilities in Houston, where they develop rockets and satellite systems for space exploration. These fields combine to create jobs for geologists, welders, aerospace engineers, and aircraft technicians.
Vibrant cities with diverse vibes
Each city in Texas features a unique culture, cuisine, and economy.
Dallas/Fort Worth, for instance, boasts major corporations such as AT&T, Exxon, and American Airlines. Traveling is also made easy thanks to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Light Rail, connecting residents to shopping in Highland Park Village or the West Village Shopping Mall in Uptown. Folks who prefer the suburbs can look outside Dallas at Arlington, Garland, and Plano.
Austin, meanwhile, can be perfect for folks who prefer a smaller, trendy city. In recent years, the city has become a significant tech hub, attracting offices from giants like Amazon and Tesla. Young professionals from the nearby University of Texas often find job opportunities in Austin’s tech scene, contributing to the city's lively vibe and strengthening the workforce.
In response to Austin's contemporary crowd, the town showcases unbeatable taco trucks, BBQ restaurants, and music festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. Homebuyers who prefer to be outside the hustle and bustle can explore the city’s diverse suburbs, such as Pflugerville, Round Rock, and Cedar Park.
One can’t talk about Texas’s best places to live without mentioning Houston. Part of Houston's allure is a multifaceted economy, spearheaded by organizations like NASA, Shell, and Lockheed Martin. Plus, Houston's international community has led to eclectic culinary and art scenes. So, even if you buy a home in Conroe or Sugar Land on the outskirts of Dallas, you can travel into Houston on the weekends to visit The Galleria Mall or Museum District.
Abundant housing stock
Most cities in Texas have no natural borders like oceans or mountains, allowing developers to expand at lower costs than other metropolitan areas.
This benefits buyers in two ways. First, money goes much further in Texas so that buyers can invest in more square footage. Second, it promotes new construction for those looking for the latest amenities and turnkey properties.
For larger homes in Dallas, prospective buyers can look into suburbs like Richardson and Preston Hollow for stately Ranch homes and Mediterranean mansions. Folks who lean towards luxury apartments can tour Deep Ellum or Uptown, which feature communities with rooftop pools, indoor gyms, and concierge services.
In Austin, you can explore fresh developments in Mueller, South Austin, and West Lake Hills for newly-built Ranch and Craftsman-style homes. If you prefer an urban atmosphere, research luxury condos in Zilker or Rainey Street, where you'll be near music venues and local restaurants.
If you're considering a move to Houston, check out Northside Village, West University Village, and Greater Eastwood for Mediterranean Villas and Queen Anne homes with expansive lawns and pools. Consider upscale apartments and condos in Downtown Houston and Hyde Park for a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Professional sports
Texas is home to several well-known sports teams and in many cities residents will have access to major NFL, NBA, and MLB games throughout the year.
In Dallas, some teams you’ll witness on their home turf include the Dallas Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Nearby in Arlington, baseball enthusiasts can enjoy a Texas Rangers game at Globe Life Field, a state-of-the-art venue featuring a retractable roof so fans can enjoy the game in any weather.
Houstonians can catch the MLB's Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park or the NFL's Houston Texans kick-off at the NRG Stadium. Rockets fans can attend NBA games at the Toyota Center between football and baseball seasons.
Folks in San Antonio can watch the San Antonio Spurs take on other NBA teams at the Frost Bank Center. The fully enclosed arena seats 18,000 people and hosts basketball games and notable entertainers like Justin Timberlake and Blink 182.
Unique culinary scene
Texas is known for having incredible food, and the best place to begin is Austin's BBQ. There, you'll find slow-cooked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork prepared over low heat. Stubb's Bar-B-Q in the Red River district is an iconic restaurant and music venue you can't miss on your BBQ tour.
For the best Tex-Mex, head to San Antonio, where proximity to the Texas-Mexico border gives rise to authentic cantinas. Swing by the Historic Square Market to test the city's Huevos Rancheros, Barbacoa, and Carne Asada.
Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, two of the most populous areas in Texas, boast international food scenes to rival New York or San Francisco.
In Houston, foodies can find Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine scattered across the city. Check out the restaurants in the Mahatma Gandhi District of Houston for aromatic curries and savory dim sum.
Similarly, the culinary landscape of Dallas-Fort Worth showcases a fusion of global influences, from French and Ethiopian eateries to Bavarian and Italian restaurants.
Homes for sale in popular Texas cities
Interested in buying a home in Texas? Browse listings in your favorite city and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.
