11 Pros and Cons of Living in Texas
Will warm weather and a variety of lifestyle options be enough to combat poor health insurance and high property taxes? Here are the pros and cons of Texas.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Pro: Steadily recovering economy and job market
- Con: Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of people without health insurance
- Pro: Texans aren’t burdened with income tax
- Con: …But there’s a high property tax
- Pro: Urbanites and Ruralites unite
- Con: Car ownership is a non-negotiable
- Pro: You’ll be toasty warm all year
- Con: High potential for severe weather
- Con: Mosquito mania
- Pro: Diverse and growing
- Is Texas a good state to live in?
- How to upgrade your car insurance in Texas
- FAQs
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The impressively recovering job market, warm weather year-round, and an affordable cost of living contribute heavily to the pull of Texas living. However, factors like the poor public infrastructure, ideal mosquito breeding grounds, and potential for severe weather can make The Lone Star State less appealing.
We all know what they say about big Texas and sometimes size does count in our estimations. If the huge land area, huge economy, and huge population are prompting you to consider Texas for your next home, take some time to consider the major pros and cons of life in the second largest US state.
To make your consideration easier,
Jerry
, the insurance comparison app
that helps users save on their auto insurance
and more, has compiled this list of some of the significant benefits and drawbacks of living in Texas. Let’s get into it. RECOMMENDED
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Pro: Steadily recovering economy and job market
Like most places on Earth, the job market in Texas took an enormous hit during the COVID19 pandemic. With more than one million jobs lost at the beginning of 2020 and a skyrocketing unemployment rate reaching 12.6%, folks were struggling to make ends meet.
Since 2021, however, there has been an encouraging employment bounce back! Nearly one million jobs were recovered, about 13,000 new jobs were created, and the unemployment rate is currently sitting at 4%.
It also helps that several major companies responsible for employing thousands of people—think Tesla, Jamba Juice, and Kubota Tractor Corporation—relocated to Texas in recent years. As with anywhere, it’s probably beneficial to secure a job before you pack up and move but it would be easier to wing it in Texas.
Con: Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of people without health insurance
As of 2019, Texas came in dead last among the US states ranking for residents without healthcare coverage. To place that unfortunate rank in a more tangible context, 18.4% of the Texas population (roughly 5.4 million people) do not have health insurance.
This is mainly due to the Texas Legislature’s regular refusal to expand the Medicaid program and make health insurance more affordable to their population. If you’re someone with pre-existing health conditions, are responsible for someone with pre-existing health conditions, or simply fall in a vulnerable demographic, be prepared to pay top dollar for healthcare coverage or go without.
Pro: Texans aren’t burdened with income tax
That’s right! As a Texas resident, you’ll get to enjoy keeping more of your hard-earned cash when you earn it. The Lone Star State is one of nine total states that do not impose an income tax. This observance situates Texas snuggly among low-tax burden states.
The move to Texas may be worth it if you prefer receiving your paycheck without any interference from automatic taxation!
MORE: How to get cash for junk cars in Arlington
Con: …But there’s a high property tax
While the lack of income tax can draw you in, you may be pushed back out by the high property tax—they have to fund their budget somehow.
To fill in the funding gaps that would elsewhere be filled by income tax, Texas imposes a property tax rate of 1.80%. Compare that to the US average of 1.10% and it’s easy to see that Texans are paying considerably more towards their property taxes. In a ranking from the lowest-to-highest property tax burden, Texas ranked 45th out of 51 states, including Washington, D.C.
In other words, Texas has the seventh highest property tax burden in the country.
But considering how tax revenue is allocated to fund vital services like road maintenance, community safety measures, public schools, libraries, and more, the higher property tax can be a good thing.
MORE: Duval County property tax
Pro: Urbanites and Ruralites unite
As disclosed time and time again, Texas is big. With over 268,000 square miles of land area and over 29 million people making up its population, there is a lot in ways of lifestyle option to choose from.
If you’re big-city friendly and need all your conveniences and entertainment in one spot, check out some of the most popular cities in the state, and even in the whole country, like Dallas, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio.
Not a city slicker? Give the small-town charm a try in places like San Marcos, Waco, or New Braunfels that can offer closer commune with Texas’s natural beauty, history, and culture. If you’re looking for true rural, you can join the 15.3% of Texans living in spread-out communities of less than 2,500 residents. Whatever kind of community conditions you’re looking for in your move to Texas, you’re likely to find something suitable.
Con: Car ownership is a non-negotiable
If you’re incoming from D.C., New York, or somewhere similar where public transportation abounds, you may experience a slight culture shock when it comes to getting around. In Texas, you’ll need to drive.
It’s true that bigger cities like Dallas have some public transportation to get folks around the city, but you’ll notice most areas are still car-centric—as is the rest of the state. There are over 17 million licensed drivers populating The Loan Star State, nearly all of them reliant on their personal vehicles for getting around. If you’re used to driving everywhere, this may not be a con at all.
On the other hand, if you don’t already have a personal vehicle you’ll need to factor in this significant extra expense to your moving budget.
MORE:
Texas car insurance laws
Pro: You’ll be toasty warm all year
Are you in the population of people that hate the snow? Would you prefer an endless summer with high temperatures to keep you warm all year? Texas may have the climate for you.
As a southern Gulf Coast state, Texas is hot. Summertime temperatures easily reach into the 80s and 90s, but even the winters in this state are quite warm, averaging daily temperatures around 65°F. However, it is worth it to keep in mind the effects that the climate crisis is having on Texas winters. Recall the debilitating snowstorm of 2021 that knocked out a significant portion of the Texas power grid.
Generally speaking, though, warm weather reigns supreme in this state and if you can sacrifice fall foliage and winter sports, you may be very happy here.
Con: High potential for severe weather
On the flip side of constantly warm temperatures is the potential for severe weather. Of course, Texas is—say it with me—BIG, and weather conditions can vary dramatically from one area of the state to another. But if you’re living in East Texas, particularly near the coast, be prepared for hurricanes. This section of the state sees the most rainfall and a significant portion of it falls right in hurricane season.
Other areas of the state experience severe thunderstorms, wildfires, and tornadoes. In fact, in 2020 Texas was named the second worst state for the number of tornadoes that touched down on its soil. Before packing up your belongings and hitting the road that leads you to Texas, research common extreme weather in the area you’re considering.
MORE: How to prepare your car for a hurricane
Con: Mosquito mania
All of that aforementioned rainfall means a lot of standing water around your property. Include the thousands of lakes, many surrounded by wooded areas, peppering Texas and you have a mosquito-breeding paradise.
Texas has 84 species of mosquitoes flying around waiting to feast on your flesh, so if you’re particularly susceptible to viruses like West Nile (elderly folk) or Zika (pregnant people), you’ll want to make sure you do your homework and select a Texas community with a low mosquito burden.
Pro: Diverse and growing
Maybe you held a preconceived notion of who the average Texan is, but you may need to check that at the border! Texas has seen a huge influx in its population in recent years, many of which fall in the millennial, aged 25 to 39 grouping.
And the demographics are in seemingly constant change! It’s no surprise that Hispanic populations and Latin Americans make up the second-largest demographic category in the state, but there is also a growing Asian-American population.
With a variety of people and cultures, you’ll also get a variety of cuisine. Though you’ll be able to find tons of food options throughout the state, you simply can’t go to Texas and not run into the staple cultural cuisine fusion—Tex-Mex. Get ready for all the cheese, chili peppers, beans, meats, and tortillas you can handle. My mouth is watering already.
Is Texas a good state to live in?
Yes, Texas makes a good state to live in—but it won’t be for everyone. Be sure you take the time to consider the major pros and cons that The Lone Star State has to offer before you decide if Texas living is the move for you.
Texas is a great state for:
- A choice in lifestyle
- Diversity seekers
- Warm weather wards
- Employment recovery
However, if any of the Texas cons—think a major mosquito population, severe weather, or high property taxes—make your list of absolutely-nots, you may wish to move on.
How to upgrade your car insurance in Texas
Since car ownership is pretty much a must-do in Texas, you’ll need some car insurance. On average,
liability-only car insurance
in Texas has subscribers paying $192 a month, while full coverage insurance
runs around $250 a month. Both of these rates are higher than the national average, but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck paying high
Texas car insurance
premiums!If you want to save money on
car insurance
, the Jerry
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FAQs
Is Texas in Tornado Alley?
Yes, much of North Texas is included in Tornado Alley. In 2020, Texas had the second most tornadoes touch down than every other US state.
What are the winters like in Texas?
Winters in Texas are usually mild with daily temperatures averaging around 65°F. However, 2021 saw one of the worst snowstorms in the state’s history and the weather is becoming more unpredictable as the climate crisis deepens.
Is Texas racially diverse?
This depends on where in Texas you live, but there is an increasingly diverse population. According to the 2021
US Census Bureau report on Texas
, the two main groups making up the Texas population are white (40.3%) and Hispanic or Latino (40.2%) peoples.Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance
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