Finding the most affordable places to live in Texas is challenging even if you're a native. State-wide, Texas has a median home value of $242,000. When you add in maintenance costs and property taxes, it can be difficult for many to buy and own a home. Because of that, we scoured the data to find the most affordable cities in Texas, looking at median home prices, cost of living, and other factors to find your best options.
Looking for the most affordable places in Texas is a start, but you'll save even more money by working with a great agent. The top Texas real estate agents know the local market and where to find pockets of more affordable homes. They can also help negotiate a better price when you do find your dream home.
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With a Clever agent, you'll get instant MLS alerts on affordable Texas homes, on-demand showings, and an expert negotiator on your side. Even better? Eligible home buyers get a check for up to 0.5% of the purchase price back after closing!
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Ready to learn more about the most affordable places in Texas? These are our top picks.
1. Pecos
Pecos is a desert town that Forbes named the fastest-growing small town in the U.S. in 2012. Its growth has been helped along by nearby oil fields, but other main industries include farming and agriculture. Close to the border with Mexico, the weather can be quite hot.
Median home values are just $44,700 and median household income is $51,364. The highest paying jobs are found in mining, oil and gas, and agriculture. It’s a relatively safe town with a low crime rate. Schools have a student to teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
2. Pearland
Families who live in Pearland enjoy great shopping, an open-air mall, and multiple golf courses.
Median home values are $265,100, which is extremely affordable given that the median household income is $102,124. As a suburb of Houston, just 20 minutes from downtown, Pearland residents can enjoy a low cost of living but easy access to over 25 Fortune 500 employers.
You’ll also be living in a safe community with a low crime rate. Pearland also has excellent schools with an average student to teacher ratio of 15 to 1.
Finding a home to buy here is easier with a local agent! With Clever, you'll find a great Texas realtor who can help with your home search.
3. Post
Located in the Great Plains, Post has small town, family-friendly vibe. Unemployment is low and the town has had strong job growth recently. Restored historic buildings, small shops, and restaurants line the main street.
House in Post are cheap, with a median value of $72,800, relatively inexpensive when compared to median household income of $46,214. Top employers are in the health care and social assistance, mining and oil and gas, and public administration industries.
While schools have good student to teacher ratios at 10 to 1, the small school system does have lower test scores.
4. Monahans
If you live in Monahans you’ll enjoy visiting nearby state park Monahans Sandhills where you can go sand surfing, picnic, or play football. It’s got great weather, temperatures can reach the 60’s even in January.
The median home values for the city are $111,000, and rose 8.3% last year. Median household income is $55,313 and the crime rate is 56% lower than the national average. If you work in the oil and gas industry, quarrying, or health care, you will be able to find a job in Monahans.
» FIND: Top Real Estate Agents in Texas
5. La Feria
La Feria is about an hour from the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and the beaches on South Padre Island. If you can’t make it to the beach, your kids can splash around at the Aquatic Center. It has extremely hot summers but mild winters.
Homes are reasonably priced, with a median home value of $74,900 but median household income is only $34,945. Employers are concentrated in the manufacturing, educational, and healthcare industries. La Feria is inexpensive but the crime rate is higher and schools aren’t great.
How to find affordable homes in Texas
Whether you want to live in a bustling Texas metro area or a tranquil small town, there's plenty to love in Texas. Working with a local real estate agent is the best way to find the most affordable places to live in Texas.
Ready to start house hunting? Clever is a free service that can match you with the best realtors in Texas. And, when you buy with a Clever partner agent, you could get 0.5% of your purchase price back as a check after closing. On a $300,000 home, that's an extra $1,500 back in your pocket. That's real money!