South region · TX
The Lone Star State — capital Austin, home to 30.5 million residents. Texas anchors its economy in energy, technology, and healthcare. Employment is concentrated around Houston and San Antonio, while Dallas and the surrounding counties add regional depth. Overall living costs run below the national average, which shapes both wages and housing expectations across the state.
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June 18, 2026
Completed scheduled editorial review
April 2, 2026
Added new government resources
January 15, 2026
Expanded FAQ section
Why this status matters
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At a glance
Every state hub publishes the same facts in the same order. Values we cannot source per state are labelled as placeholders instead of estimated.
PlaceholderRounded estimate — awaiting a live census data source.
PlaceholderSeveral states span more than one zone, so we publish nothing until it is confirmed per county.
Placeholder
PlaceholderState plus local rates change often; we link the state tax agency instead.
PlaceholderEditorial index for comparison only, not an official statistic.
Knowledge sections
Twenty-three standard sections, each linking into the wider Knowledge Library so a state hub never becomes a dead end.
Everyday practicalities of settling in Texas, from paperwork to daily routines.
OpenRenting and buying in Texas, where median values sit near $340,000.
OpenHiring is strongest in energy around Houston.
OpenRegistering and running a company in Texas, including filing and annual reports.
OpenSchool districts, community colleges and public universities across Texas.
OpenCoverage, networks and where care is concentrated in Texas.
OpenDriving, transit and regional travel in and around Houston.
OpenWhat a new resident needs to trade an existing licence for a Texas one.
OpenTitles, plates, inspections and annual renewal in Texas.
OpenMinimum liability rules, quotes and claims for drivers in Texas.
OpenEmergency numbers, alerts and preparedness for Texas conditions.
OpenLegal aid, tenant rights and where to find low-cost representation.
OpenNo state personal income tax, higher property taxes, plus federal filing basics.
OpenHow Texas compares against the national average of 100.
OpenRanges from humid subtropical on the Gulf to arid in the west
OpenTrip planning for Big Bend National Park and the rest of Texas.
OpenTrails, water and seasonal recreation across South states.
OpenPark systems, passes and camping close to Houston.
OpenHouston, San Antonio, Dallas — where most jobs and services concentrate.
OpenCounty and city services you will use as a Texas resident.
OpenSetting up power, water, waste and seasonal bills in a new home.
OpenChoosing broadband and a mobile plan without a US credit history.
OpenLibraries, newcomer groups and nonprofits serving Texas.
OpenThe full picture
Texas anchors its economy in energy, technology, and healthcare. Employment is concentrated around Houston and San Antonio, while Dallas and the surrounding counties add regional depth. Overall living costs run below the national average, which shapes both wages and housing expectations across the state.
Hiring in Texas is strongest in energy and technology, with steady demand in healthcare, education, and skilled trades statewide. Salary ranges differ sharply between Houston and smaller markets, so benchmark any offer against local cost of living rather than a national figure.
Median home values sit near $340,000, with the highest prices in and around Houston and more room in Dallas and outlying areas. Renters should budget for first month's rent plus a security deposit, credit screening, and — in this climate — seasonal utility swings when comparing total monthly housing cost.
Cost index of 93 against the national average of 100. Median home value sits near $340,000. No state personal income tax, higher property taxes.
Care in Texas is delivered through private hospital systems, clinics, and community health centres, with the largest referral hospitals in and around Houston. Coverage usually comes through an employer plan or the health insurance marketplace; before enrolling, confirm that your preferred providers are inside the plan network, because out-of-network care is billed at far higher rates.
Public schooling in Texas is organised by local districts with state oversight, so quality and funding vary between neighbourhoods — compare district reports before choosing housing. Public universities and community colleges charge substantially lower in-state tuition once residency requirements are met, and transfer agreements let students begin locally and finish at a four-year institution.
Most of Texas is built around driving, and a vehicle plus state-compliant insurance is the practical baseline outside the urban core of Houston. Houston and San Antonio offer local bus service and, in larger metros, rail or light rail. Plan for annual registration, inspection where required, and winter or storm-season driving conditions typical of the state's climate.
Texas registers businesses through its Secretary of State, and most new owners form an LLC or corporation before opening a business bank account. Expect a state filing fee, an annual or biennial report, and industry licensing where applicable. No state personal income tax, higher property taxes — a material factor when modelling owner take-home pay.
Ranges from humid subtropical on the Gulf to arid in the west
Official resources
Government, educational, and nonprofit sources only. We link the official directory that resolves to the correct state office rather than guessing an agency URL.
Official state portal via the USA.gov directory
Licences, titles and registration by state
CDC directory of state health departments
US Department of Labor state agency finder
US Department of Education state contacts
FEMA regional and state emergency offices
SBA local assistance and Secretary of State filing
State consumer protection and attorney general offices
HUD state housing pages and local offices
Legal Services Corporation nonprofit directory
Federal marketplace or the state exchange it redirects to
Learning path
Ten modules that take a newcomer from arrival paperwork to long-term financial planning, each mapped onto a published US360 learning path.
10 modules · about 2 hours · beginner friendly
Tools and downloads
Calculators and printables you can point at this state. Anything still in production is labelled rather than linked.
Test a Texas budget against the index of 93.
Open toolPut Texas beside another state across taxes, housing and jobs.
Open toolPlan the one-off cost of a move into Texas.
Open toolCheck whether a Houston offer keeps up with local costs.
Open toolModel a purchase near the $340,000 median.
Open toolWork through formation steps for a Texas company.
Open toolTotal cost of a car including registration, insurance and fuel.
In productionUse as your Moving to Texas checklist.
Week-by-week logistics for the move into Texas.
Everything to check before signing a lease.
Formation, licensing and banking steps.
Fill in Texas emergency and utility contacts.
Monthly budget sheet you can adapt to local costs.
Ask and verify
Ask360 keeps your state in context, so answers point back to Texas guides first.
Every Texas figure in this hub is published in the same format as all 50 other state hubs so comparisons stay honest. Anything we cannot source per state is marked as a placeholder rather than estimated.
Nearby and similar
Neighbouring states first, then others in the same region.
The Sooner State
The Land of Enchantment
The Natural State
The Pelican State
Recommended for you
Every life area we cover for this state, the statewide resource collections that apply, and the neighbouring guides readers compare it with.
US360 guidance on housing & real estate with Texas-specific notes.
Housing & real estate in TexasUS360 guidance on jobs & careers with Texas-specific notes.
Jobs & careers in TexasUS360 guidance on healthcare with Texas-specific notes.
Healthcare in TexasUS360 guidance on transportation with Texas-specific notes.
Transportation in TexasUS360 guidance on business & investment with Texas-specific notes.
Business & investment in TexasUS360 guidance on education with Texas-specific notes.
Education in TexasUS360 guidance on car insurance with Texas-specific notes.
Car insurance in TexasUS360 guidance on public safety with Texas-specific notes.
Public safety in TexasUS360 guidance on legal services with Texas-specific notes.
Legal services in TexasVetted government services listings, filterable to Texas.
Government ServicesVetted public safety listings, filterable to Texas.
Public SafetyVetted legal services listings, filterable to Texas.
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