Do you want to migrate to Texas to live with your family? If YES, here are 10 best cities in Texas with lots of opportunities to raise a family successfully. Texas is larger than life, not only in size but as an attractive home for families that enjoy playing out and exploring the outdoors. There’s lots to see and do here and so many options for settling down.
Texas is the second largest state in the US after Alaska, and within the 269,000 square miles the giant takes up, you can find deserts, mountains, forest, ranchland, over 360 miles of beautiful coastline and an 850 miles interstate route that makes traveling through the great state seamless.
Just like all other states, there are some benefits and pitfalls associated with living in Texas. Fortunately, unlike other states, the good far outweighs the bad. The State of Texas is one of the few states in the US that boast of no income tax.
According to experts, Texas collects about $3,500 per resident. California, on the other hand, collects $4,900. And, New York collects $7,400. So, when you compare it to other states, residents of Texas save as much as half of what they would normally pay in taxes. But one setback in Texas is the hot weather.
In fact, Texas Monthly called Texas the hottest state in the entire country. Along the Rio Grande, which is the hottest spot in Texas, days and nights average 102 degrees Fahrenheit. In both San Antonio and Dallas, the summer temperatures average out at around 100 degrees.
The average home price in Texas is $190,000 and the average rent price is about $1,500. Coupled with the fact that Texas is absolutely large, they have practically endless land to build on. The more houses builders can put up means more supply, which makes housing prices more affordable.
While $200,000 might buy you a shack in California, in Texas it’ll get you a nice home. The state also has an abundance of jobs, making it an idea area for young professionals looking to be homeowners.
Texans are an interesting mix of loving and tough. They’re known for being huggers with bigger-than-life personalities but they have been built to be pretty resilient considering that they deal with 100 degree summers six months out of the year and have to avoid being bitten by poisonous rattlesnakes on the daily.
Maybe, not unlike the people, it feels like the culture in Texas offers similar extremes, making it a state where just about everyone can find something they love.
In addition, Texas also houses three of the largest cities in the United States –– Houston, San Antonio and Dallas –– all of which are so rich with history, culture and entertainment. But, besides the larger names Texas is known for, it is also home to much smaller cities like Austin which is quickly becoming a favorite for young professionals across the nation.
So, if you need a place where you feel safe, can afford a home, and don’t have to spend countless hours away each week in the commute corral, here are the 10 cities where you can enjoy all these and also provide your family with the best possible environment.
10 Best Cities in Texas to Raise a Family Successfully
- Plano
Over 86 percent of Plano residents live in the same house as last year and it’s clear why: it has a ton of major corporate headquarters, like Cinemark Theaters, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Frito-Lay and Toyota Motors USA; it is part of Dallas’s public transportation system; and it has a strong public education system.
The biggest portion of Plano is located in Collin County, but there is a small part of it that stretches into Denton County. It is close to Dallas, as a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Plano is home to about 290,413 people, and it is one of the most populous places to raise a family in Texas.
Myriads of companies have their headquarters here and create a paradise for young experts in various fields. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve are beautiful places where you can always connect with nature. Collin College is the most prominent representative of higher education.
- Killeen
Due to an impressive percentage of residents with at least a high school degree, Killeen is a city that provides promising education for your youngsters through an amazing number of schools. From our detailed research, there are five specialized high school campuses.
The town boasts of a low percentage of families in the same house as last year, but that is most likely due to the prominence of Fort Hood and the corresponding military families. Other major employers include First National Bank and Sallie Mae.
Killeen is home to the Vive Les Arts Theatre, which not only produces large-scale shows but also has a Children’s Theatre for your family to enjoy.
- Round Rock
Situated some 20 miles north of Austin, Round Rock combines small-town charm with big-city convenience. Unlike most metropolitan suburbs, Round Rock is self contained. The city is home to several major employers, including IKEA, IBM and Samsung.
The international headquarters of tech giant Dell is here, as well as a number of small businesses around the city’s quaint, yet bustling downtown – which means a short commute to work for most residents. Families will find Round Rock’s cost of living competitive with other cities in the Austin area. The average home price is around $234,000, and the median household income hovers around $70,000.
The city is home to the AAA Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team Round Rock Express as well as a 25-field baseball complex, five-field softball complex, a cricket field, disc golf course, soccer complex and the Rockin’ River Family Aquatic Center.
The Round Rock independent School District’s Round Rock, Stony Point and Cedar Ridge high schools are known for the success of their sports programs. The district also scores high marks for its academics, receiving a grade of 8 out of 10 by GreatSchools.org.
- Midland
With less than 20 minutes as the average commute time, Midland is located in oil country, with much of the local economy dependent upon extraction and exploration. The city also has some national pride as it is the hometown of Laura Bush, the former First Lady.
It boasts of many family attractions too. If the Texas night sky piques the interest of your kids, try taking them to the Blakemore Planetarium for a dome show. Also remember that your future firefighters can explore two of Midland’s first fire trucks for free at the Central Fire Station building.
- Wichita Falls
Aside from having amazing scenic waterfalls to explore, Wichita Falls also ranks well on the list for shortest commute time, clocking in under 15 minutes. The military, education and health care industries comprise the city’s major economic drivers, offering a broad range of employment options.
Wichita Falls also provides several opportunities for outdoor-enthusiast families: it’s home to Lucy Park, which includes a duck pond, pool, Frisbee golf course and stunning waterfall views. Wichita Falls’ River Bend Nature Center is full of fun exhibits, and your kids will jump at the chance to pet live snakes, turtles and more.
- Carrollton
Reports have it that Carrollton families tend to stick around, with over 83 percent of residents living in the same house as last year. Being a suburb of Dallas, Carrollton itself is home to a number of corporate headquarters, such as Heelys, Motel 6 and Woot.com.
If you have younger kids, check out Sandy Lake Amusement Park for classic rides like the Tilt-a-Whirl, Merry-Go-Round and the Scrambler. Carrollton also consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in Texas, so you can spend less time worrying about your family if you live here.
- Frisco
Boasting of a population of about 157,000 – 26 percent of whom are school age – the north Texas city of Frisco is one of the country’s fastest-growing communities for families, and for good reason. Families in Frisco have access to the booming economies of Dallas and Fort Worth as well as low housing costs and a high quality of life.
Home prices average around $250,000, and the median family income is $109,086. Frisco’s income growth is 10 percent higher than the national average, and its family poverty rate is less than 5 percent, compared to a national average of 16 percent.
Families in Frisco enjoy an active park and recreation department, which operates 40 parks and trails as well as the Frisco Athletic Center and the Texas Sculpture Garden.
The city is home to a number of family-friendly venues to keep kids busy, including the Frisco Heritage Museum, the Sci-Tech Discovery Center and the Family Entertainment Centers. Frisco was also named one of the 10 safest cities in Texas by the FBI and the fourth-safest city in the United States.
- Amarillo
This city has always ranked well and decently in all categories, making it a well-rounded option for families. What makes it better is that the city has plenty of family-friendly attractions, including a public skate park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Wonderland Amusement Park.
If you have a burgeoning sports enthusiast kid, take him or her to an Amarillo Bulls hockey game or Amarillo Venom football game at the local Civic Center. You and your family can tap into your inner Texan at Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West, where you can go horseback riding on trails and watch some real cowboys in action.
- McKinney
McKinney is a wonderful place for families that like to socialize, especially with over 48 percent of the population having kids under 18. With a charming Main Street to stroll down and plenty of parks and golf courses, it’s no surprise why families settle down here.
The city even has two nationally ranked high schools. The McKinney Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a smartphone app that even residents would like; it provides updates about the city’s latest happenings.
- Odessa
Aside from looking for a good place to raise a family, if you are looking for good financial value in a city, then consider Odessa. In this city, only an average of 17.7 percent of income is spent on housing. Join in the city’s high school football frenzy and attend a game at Ratcliff Stadium.
For the history buff in your family, learn about American civics by visiting the Presidential Museum and Leadership Library. Odessa has a number of unique attractions, including the Odessa Meteor Crater and a replica of Stonehenge at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
As one of the largest states in the nation, both in size and population, Texas holds an overwhelming number of choices. From our extensive research, we’ve realized that the best places to raise a family in Texas aren’t cost prohibitive as well.