The 77701 zip code in Beaumont tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Texas.
We looked at 802 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Texas
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beaumont 🥇 | 100.0 | $85,740 | $946 |
| 2 | Big Spring 🥈 | 97.1 | $134,565 | $1,247 |
| 3 | Nederland 🥉 | 94.4 | $196,711 | $1,196 |
| 4 | Victoria | 93.7 | $143,713 | $993 |
| 5 | Port Arthur | 93.6 | $108,678 | $953 |
| 6 | Silsbee | 93.4 | $161,964 | $1,286 |
| 7 | Borger | 92.5 | $93,137 | $1,657 |
| 8 | Pampa | 92.2 | $94,413 | $1,657 |
| 9 | Vernon | 92.0 | $80,907 | $1,657 |
| 10 | Lubbock | 91.5 | $95,939 | $889 |
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1. Beaumont
Here's why the 77701 zip code in Beaumont is Texas's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Beaumont
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $85,740[1] | No. 5 | -$242,071.74 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.8 | No. 4 | -2.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 7.0%[2] | No. 16 | -33.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -4.5%[3] | No. 12 | -4.3% |
| Rental costs | $946[4] | No. 8 | -$711 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.03% | No. 263 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $46,653[5] | No. 699 | -$33,058 |
| Property taxes | $939[6] | No. 4 | -$3,685 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[7] | No. 31 | $0.00 |
Beaumont's 77701 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Texas, leading the 802 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $85,740, making it the 5th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -4.5% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $946 per month, which is the 263rd cheapest amount in Texas.
The median property tax for homeowners in Beaumont is $939 per household, the No. 4 ranked market in Texas.
Residents pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 31 among Texas markets.
2. Big Spring
The 79720 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Texas.
🔎 Key data about Big Spring
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 97.1 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $134,565[8] | No. 41 | -$193,246.31 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.018835439 | No. 5 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.4010752925[9] | No. 384 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -6.7%[10] | No. 2 | -6.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,247[11] | No. 68 | -$410 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.87% | No. 190 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | 66655[12] | No. 441 | -$13,056 |
| Property taxes | $1,600[13] | No. 61 | -$3,024 |
| Energy costs | 0.1369551459 kWh[14] | No. 141 | $0.00 |
Big Spring's 79720 zip code has a median home value of $134,565, which is the 2nd-cheapest housing market in Texas. You can rent for an average of $1,247 per month. That's the 68th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is 66655, which ranks 441st-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Big Spring pay a median property tax of $1,600 per year, making it the 61st-most affordable market in Texas.
Big Spring ranks No. 141 among Texas energy markets. You'll pay 0.1369551459 per kWh of electricity.
3. Nederland
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Texas is Nederland's 77627 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Nederland
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 94.4 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $196,711[15] | No. 186 | -$131,100.55 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.606793383 | No. 45 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.1628024837[16] | No. 56 | -23.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.5%[17] | No. 30 | -3.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,196[18] | No. 55 | -$461 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.58% | No. 85 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | 75461[19] | No. 339 | -$4,250 |
| Property taxes | $3,228[20] | No. 345 | -$1,396 |
| Energy costs | 0.1341219492 kWh[21] | No. 31 | $0.00 |
The No. 186 cheapest housing market in Texas is Nederland's 77627 zip code, with a median home value of $196,711. Rents in the market average $1,196 per month, making it the 55th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Nederland is $3,228, which makes it the 345th-cheapest place in Texas. Nederland ranks No. 31 among Texas markets by energy costs. Residents pay 0.1341219492 per kWh of electricity.
4. Victoria
The 77901 zip code in Victoria comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Texas.
🔎 Key data about Victoria
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.7 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $143,713[22] | No. 51 | -$184,098.71 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.720653534 | No. 59 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3162532506[23] | No. 193 | -8.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[24] | No. 136 | -0.7% |
| Rental costs | $993[25] | No. 14 | -$663 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 196 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | 52823[26] | No. 613 | -$26,888 |
| Property taxes | $2,272[27] | No. 190 | -$2,352 |
| Energy costs | 0.1369551459 kWh[28] | No. 141 | $0.00 |
The No. 51 cheapest housing market in Texas is Victoria's 77901 zip code, where the median home value is $143,713. Renters here pay an average of $993 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Victoria ranks 141st among Texas markets. Residents pay 0.1369551459 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $2,272, which makes it the 190th-cheapest market in Texas.
5. Port Arthur
The 77642 zip code in Port Arthur ranks No. 5 among Texas's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Port Arthur
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.6 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $108,678[29] | No. 20 | -$219,133.57 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.582902725 | No. 38 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.03260107477[30] | No. 3 | -36.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -4.7%[31] | No. 8 | -4.5% |
| Rental costs | $953[32] | No. 10 | -$704 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.26% | No. 550 | 0.2% |
| Median household income | 42076[33] | No. 746 | -$37,635 |
| Property taxes | $1,449[34] | No. 43 | -$3,175 |
| Energy costs | 0.1341219492 kWh[35] | No. 31 | $0.00 |
Port Arthur's 77642 zip code has a median home value of $108,678, the 20th-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -4.7% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Port Arthur is $1,449. It's the 43rd-cheapest market by tax rate in Texas.
6. Silsbee
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Texas is the 77656 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Silsbee
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.4 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $161,964[36] | No. 79 | -$165,848.08 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.642752206 | No. 50 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.06418084893[37] | No. 14 | -33.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -4.3%[38] | No. 16 | -4.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,286[39] | No. 85 | -$370 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.10% | No. 486 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 61286[40] | No. 504 | -$18,425 |
| Property taxes | $1,453[41] | No. 44 | -$3,171 |
| Energy costs | 0.1341219492 kWh[42] | No. 31 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Silsbee's 77656 zip code, which has the 79th-cheapest home values in Texas. The median home value is $161,964. Rents average $1,286 per month, making it the 85th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay 0.1341219492 per kWh of electricity. It's the 31st-cheapest energy market.
7. Borger
Borger's 79007 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Texas.
🔎 Key data about Borger
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 92.5 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $93,137[43] | No. 9 | -$234,674.39 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.591439336 | No. 1 | -2.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.1633322292[44] | No. 57 | -23.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.9%[45] | No. 40 | -2.7% |
| Rental costs | $1,657[46] | No. 328 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.08% | No. 285 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 58524[47] | No. 537 | -$21,187 |
| Property taxes | $1,608[48] | No. 64 | -$3,016 |
| Energy costs | 0.1344162015 kWh[49] | No. 112 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 9th-cheapest home values in Texas in Borger's 79007 zip code. The median value: $93,137. Renters in Borger pay an average of $1,657 per month.
Homeowners in Borger pay a median property tax of $1,608 per year, which is Texas's 64th-most affordable market.
The average household income is 58524, which ranks 537th-highest in the state.
8. Pampa
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Texas is Pampa's 79065 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Pampa
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 92.2 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $94,413[50] | No. 11 | -$233,398.42 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.737104607 | No. 3 | -2.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.1797065788[51] | No. 64 | -22.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2%[52] | No. 60 | -1.8% |
| Rental costs | $1,657[53] | No. 328 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.08% | No. 285 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 54351[54] | No. 596 | -$25,360 |
| Property taxes | $1,537[55] | No. 55 | -$3,087 |
| Energy costs | 0.1313945107 kWh[56] | No. 30 | -$0.01 |
The 11th-cheapest housing market in Texas is Pampa's 79065 zip code, with a median home value of $94,413. Renters pay an average of $1,657 per month, the No. 328 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Pampa is $1,537, which makes it the 55th-cheapest place in Texas. The average household income of 54351 ranks 596th.
9. Vernon
Vernon's 76384 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Texas's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Vernon
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 92.0 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $80,907[57] | No. 4 | -$246,904.95 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.610086378 | No. 2 | -2.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.06340087798[58] | No. 12 | -33.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.6%[59] | No. 27 | -3.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,657[60] | No. 328 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.08% | No. 285 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 50250[61] | No. 659 | -$29,461 |
| Property taxes | $1,474[62] | No. 47 | -$3,150 |
| Energy costs | 0.1369551459 kWh[63] | No. 141 | $0.00 |
The 4th-cheapest housing market in Texas is Vernon's 76384 zip code, where the median home value is $80,907. Renters pay an average of $1,657 per month. It's the state's 328th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $1,474, which makes it the 47th-cheapest property tax rate in Texas.
10. Lubbock
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Texas goes to the 79415 zip code in Lubbock.
🔎 Key data about Lubbock
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 802 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.5 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $95,939[64] | No. 12 | -$231,873.18 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.587899347 | No. 41 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3220322196[65] | No. 206 | -7.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.5%[66] | No. 227 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $889[67] | No. 6 | -$768 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.40% | No. 598 | 0.3% |
| Median household income | 37072[68] | No. 781 | -$42,639 |
| Property taxes | $1,048[69] | No. 7 | -$3,576 |
| Energy costs | 0.1344162015 kWh[70] | No. 112 | $0.00 |
The 12th-most affordable market in Texas is Lubbock's 79415 zip code. The median home value is $95,939. Rent in the market costs $889 per month on average, making it the 6th-most affordable rental market in Texas.
The median property tax for households in Lubbock is $1,048, which is the 7th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Lubbock ranks No. 112 among Texas markets by energy costs, with households paying 0.1344162015 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Texas
We evaluated 802 zip codes in Texas with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Texas, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 23.8% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 23.8% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 11.9% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 4.8% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 11.9% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Texas average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Texas average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
