The Top 10 Most Affordable Cities in Texas

Welcome to the Lone Star State! Home to barbecue, rodeos, and expansive land, everything is bigger and better in Texas. If you’re looking to move to Texas and build your dream home, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from of course with the best places to live –  some are more affordable than others. NewHomeSource has compiled a list of the 10 most affordable cities to inform your decision.

10 Most Affordable Cities

1. Pharr

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.03

Average Property Tax: $1,658

Median Household Income: $39,884

With just under 80,000 residents calling it home, Pharr ranks number one on our list of most affordable cities. Located in southern Texas along the US-Mexico border, Pharr contains multiple parks, including features like athletic courts, skate parks, and hiking trails.

2. Weslaco

Home Price to Income Ratio: 1.86

Average Property Tax: $1,720

Median Household Income: $45,060

Weslaco is located approximately 14 miles east of Pharr. Spend your days checking out regional history at The Weslaco Museum, visit local parks, or practice your swing at the local golf course. If you’re an outdoorsy sort, you’ll enjoy walking through Frontera Audubon, a 15-acre nature preserve. You can also enjoy hiking, hunting, and viewing animals in their natural habitat in Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area.

3. Brownsville

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.33

Average Property Tax: $1,584

Median Household Income: $38,588

Brownsville resides along the Gulf of Mexico and the US-Mexico border at the southernmost tip of Texas. With just under 200,000 residents, Brownsville is one of the most populated cities on our list. Whether you prefer exploring all the exhibits at the zoo or one of the many museums and historical landmarks, you’ll never be bored in Brownsville.

4. Harlingen

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.20

Average Property Tax: $1,540

Median Household Income: $39,752

Harlingen is approximately 27 miles northwest of Brownsville. Enjoy eating your way around town at local restaurants, walking through nature parks, and catching the latest exhibit at The Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum. For a further celebration of the arts, catch a live performance at one of the community theaters.

5. San Juan

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.21

Average Property Tax: $1,851

Median Household Income: $40,773

San Juan lies directly east of Pharr. Here, you’ll find plenty of local retailers and restaurants, parks, and unique attractions like the Gelman Stained Glass Museum.

6. Edinburg

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.50

Average Property Tax: $2,499

Median Household Income: $48,673

Edinburg is a sizable city of over 100,000 residents and is the seat of Hidalgo County. There’s plenty to explore here; catch a game at the Bert Ogden Arena, cool down at the local splash park, or brush up on history at the Museum of South Texas History. Edinburg is also the home of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which enrolls 32,000 students annually.

7. Mission

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.30

Average Property Tax: $2,304

Median Household Income: $48,815

Make it your mission to move to Mission! Located along the Rio Grande River, Mission is a thriving city of over 85,000 residents. Enjoy a wealth of restaurants, state parks, hiking trails, and a historical museum.

8. Nacogdoches

Home Price to Income Ratio: 4.77

Average Property Tax: $1,384

Median Household Income: $31,442

Nacogdoches is in eastern Texas, halfway between Dallas and Houston, making it ideal for those who want easy access to the two major cities. Check out local interest points like Splash Kingdom Timber Falls, SFA Mast Arboretum, and Falling Star Gallery. History buffs can take a walk back in time at Stone Fort Museum, which features a replica of an 18th-century house.

9. Laredo

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.73

Average Property Tax: $2,845

Median Household Income: $47,593

Laredo resides along the Rio Grande River and the US-Mexico border. Cool down on hot summer days at Lake Casa Blanca. It offers winding trails, picnic pavilions, and of course plenty of space for fishing and boating. Other activities include a children’s museum, multiple golf courses, and history museums.

10. McAllen

Home Price to Income Ratio: 2.69

Average Property Tax: $2,583

Median Household Income: $46,804

McAllen is located between Mission and Pharr. One of the city’s highlights is the International Museum of Art & Science where you can view artwork and a multitude of exhibits from around the world. Be sure to check out other attractions, including amusement parks and Quinta Mazatlan, where you can observe tropical migrant birds as well as those native to Texas.

Cities with the Best Home Price to Income Ratio

While the list above is sorted by the lowest overall cost of living index, the following cities have the lowest home price to income ratio, meaning you can get more home for your money.

• Port Arthur
• Weslaco
• La Porte