Texas has been the destination of the most long-distance movers in the country for several years running. The combination of no income tax, lower housing costs than coastal states, and a genuinely strong job market makes it attractive — but Texas is a large and varied state, and where you land matters enormously.
The Four Major Markets
Dallas-Fort Worth — the most corporate of the four. Fortune 500 headquarters, strong financial and tech sectors, excellent infrastructure, enormous sprawl. The suburbs (Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Southlake) have grown faster than almost anywhere in the country.
Austin — was the affordable alternative to California tech for a decade. It's no longer particularly affordable relative to Texas wages, and the tech-driven growth has created significant traffic and housing pressure. Still has the culture and energy that drew people there; just not the bargain it once was.
Houston — the most economically diverse of the four, driven by energy, healthcare (Texas Medical Center), and international trade. Higher humidity than the other markets. Flooding is a real consideration depending on which neighborhood you choose.
San Antonio — the most affordable of the major markets, strong military presence, growing healthcare and tech sectors, deeply rooted local culture. Often overlooked by transplants who default to Austin or Dallas.
What Surprises People About Texas
Property taxes. Texas has no income tax but funds state services through very high property taxes — among the highest in the country. A $400,000 home in many Texas metros carries $8,000–10,000 per year in property taxes. Factor this into your total cost calculation.
Driving distances. Texas is enormous. Dallas to Houston is 4 hours. Houston to El Paso is nearly 8 hours. "Texas" is not a monolith, and the distances between cities affect everything from job commuting to weekend plans.
Summer heat. Texas summer (June–September) is intense — particularly in Dallas, where triple-digit temperatures are common for weeks at a time. Austin and San Antonio have more moderate summers than Dallas. Houston adds high humidity to the heat.
Moving Costs to Texas
Texas is a popular inbound destination which keeps demand for movers high in spring and summer. View moving prices to Texas from your state, or get an exact price with our inventory calculator.