The Most Affordable Cities in Texas (2026)

Ranked by cost index: the average of renting, buying, goods, and services compared to the national average (100). All data from Census ACS 2024 and BEA Regional Price Parities 2023.

1

El Paso

74.2

Rent: $1,066/mo · Homes: $209,600 · Income: $59,932

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

2

Lubbock

78.0

Rent: $1,236/mo · Homes: $223,600 · Income: $62,360

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

Rent: $1,269/mo · Homes: $234,000 · Income: $66,967

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

4

San Antonio

87.9

Rent: $1,389/mo · Homes: $260,900 · Income: $66,176

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

5

Houston

95.9

Rent: $1,408/mo · Homes: $301,200 · Income: $64,361

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

6

Arlington

104.8

Rent: $1,594/mo · Homes: $337,800 · Income: $74,388

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

7

Fort Worth

105.0

Rent: $1,630/mo · Homes: $330,500 · Income: $82,503

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

8

Dallas

105.1

Rent: $1,599/mo · Homes: $340,400 · Income: $74,323

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

9

Austin

121.6

Rent: $1,770/mo · Homes: $571,000 · Income: $90,430

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

10

Plano

122.8

Rent: $1,904/mo · Homes: $541,700 · Income: $115,901

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

11

McKinney

123.6

Rent: $1,900/mo · Homes: $555,800 · Income: $124,177

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

12

Frisco

139.9

Rent: $2,200/mo · Homes: $735,300 · Income: $145,444

No state income tax · Sales tax: 8.25%

Sources: Rent and home prices from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. Tax rates from Tax Foundation.