Texas is the second largest state in the country with some of the largest cities in the U.S. From the low cost of living to the wide range of amenities, the Lone Star State has something for everyone. Known for its cowboy culture, tex-mex cuisines and of course Beyoncé, Texas is a state full of life and culture.

The typical price for a home in Texas is around $298,424, making homeownership easier in this state than in others. Choosing where to live is an important decision for anyone, especially those with families. While the cost of living is a major factor, diversity, amenities and comfortability are also just as important when deciding where to call home.

With a population of 30,029,572, Texas is now of of the only two states with a population of over 30 million residents, right behind California. It’s one of the fastest-growing states and racially diverse, with 40 percent of Latino residents and 13 percent of Black residents.

Home to major sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, major companies like Dell Technologies and attractions like The Alamo, Texas is a state of opportunity. It’s also a place where a lot of young professionals are moving to because of the low cost of living and amenities the cities provide. Texas is home to incredible universities like Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. In fact, this state is so great that graduates are choosing to stay in Texas, rather than moving to other states. Families thrive in Texas because of the lower cost of living and proximity to a lot of family-friendly activities and neighborhoods.

Here are some of the best places to live in Texas for families, couples, singles, young professionals and retirees.

Houston

• Population: 2,302,878
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $326,000
• Walkability: High

Houston is the largest city in Texas, with a population of over 2 million residents. The average home price in Houston is around $326,000, making the housing market in the area somewhat competitive. Attractions and amenities like parks, the Houston Zoo and the NASA Space Center are perfect for families looking for fun activities.12

For Black Families: Houston is one of the most diverse areas of Texas, with Black residents making up 22 percent of the population. Houston is one of the best places to live in Texas for families because of the low cost of living and the amenities that come with being in a large city. It’s also possible to live in suburban areas in this city, making it ideal for families who want some quiet.

For Young Professionals: Young graduates and professionals are moving to Texas, particularly Houston, because of its thriving job market. Not only is Houston an aerospace hub, but it’s also a great place for entry-level careers in tech, manufacturing, healthcare, oil & gas, life sciences and education. The average salary for a Houston resident is around $57,790, just slightly below the national average. If you’ve been following real estate, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, then you know the cost of living is lower in Texas. Houston apartments are typically priced around $1,047 for a studio apartment.

Dallas

• Population: 1,259,404
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $304,813
• Walkability: High

According to U.S. News rankings, Dallas is number three on the list of best places to Live in Texas. Because of the quality of life, suburban areas and big city, this area offers the perfect mix of quiet and loud. Perfect for sports fans and families, enjoy basketball, football and hockey with the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Stars and the Dallas Mavericks. The average home price in this area is $304,813 and the housing market is somewhat competitive with homes selling for around two percent below the list price in less than a month

For Black Families: If you’re focused on raising a family, Dallas is a great city. The area is diverse with over 23 percent of Black residents, which makes over 325,000 out of their population of over 1 million residents. There are so many black-owned businesses in the Dallas area from bars, bakeries, barbeque, clothing stores, gyms, cajun and southern-inspired restaurants and more.

For Young Professionals: Dallas is the perfect mix for young professionals looking to settle down, but still take advantage of nightlife and entertainment. From bars to art museums to escape rooms and sports games, there is so much for young professionals to enjoy in the city. The average cost of living in Dallas is a great perk too with apartment prices averaging at $1,368 for a studio, slightly more expensive than Houston.

San Antonio

• Population: 1,472,909
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $269,000
• Walkability: Moderate to High

As the second largest city in Texas behind Houston, San Antonio is one of the best places to live in Texas for singles, friends, couples and young professionals. It’s also a fairly affordable place to live, with the average home price being around $269,000, making homeownership easy and the housing market competitive. Families can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities in the area and San Antonio also has great schools.

For Black Families: While San Antonio is less diverse than Dallas and Houston, a good bit of Black residents live in the area, with Black residents making up six percent of the population. There are also plenty of activities for families to get involved in, including the San Antonio Zoo, The Alamo, the aquarium, libraries and more.

For Young Professionals: For young graduates and those entering the workforce, San Antonio is one of the best places to live in Texas in terms of cost of living. The average apartment rent in the city is around $1,90, making it one of the more affordable Texas cities. For young people who love to get active, San Antonio is home to many parks and activities including the Riverwalk and Downtown.

Austin

• Population: 974,447
• Public School Rating: B
• Average Home Price: $544,000
• Walkability: Moderate

Coming in as number one on the best places to live in Texas is Austin, according to U.S. News rankings. Even though it is the state capital of Texas, Austin is a more laid-back city. It’s a great place to live for families, retired individuals and recent college graduates. Because this city is even smaller than other major Texas cities with more suburban areas, the cost of living is slightly higher. The average home price in Austin comes in at around $544,000 in a competitive housing market.

For Black Families: For families looking for a quiet and laid-back city in Texas, Austin is a great place to raise a family. With a population of over 900,000 people, Austin still provides a big city with a suburban and tight-knit feel. It’s slightly diverse, with Black residents making up over seven percent of the population. Families can enjoy the multiple parks, museums and restaurants the city has to offer.

For Young Professionals: Texas is filled with incredible universities, one of them being the University of Texas at Austin. Many graduates stay in the city, while recent graduates from other schools end up moving to Austin to work in the thriving and healthy job market. The average salary in Austin is higher than the national average at $60,260. People with careers in government, tech and manufacturing in this area tend to do very well.

El Paso

• Population: 677,456
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $213,288
• Walkability: Low to Moderate

For those who like the great outdoors and southern and cowboy culture, El Paso is one of the best places in Texas to live. The cost of living is lower than the national average, with housing prices lower than other major cities in Texas. The typical home price in this city is $213,288 with a competitive housing market.

For Black Families: With a population of over 600,000 residents, El Paso is slightly diverse, with other ethic groups making up more of the population. Black residents only make up four percent of El Paso’s population, while Hispanics make up over 81 percent and those of multiple races at over 29 percent. While it’s less diverse than Houston or Dallas, El Paso is still a place that you can call home. There are so many fun activities that families can participate in including whitewater rafting, fishing, rock climbing, art galleries and more.

For Young Professionals: For the young professional looking for a place in Texas to call home, consider El Paso for a quiet way of life. From government jobs to health care to manufacturing and production jobs, professionals in this area thrive because of the stable job market and low cost of living.