Moving to Texas statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to Texas?

Approximately 611,942 people moved to the Lone Star State in 2023, while 478,570 moved out. This represents an outflow of 133,372 Texas residents. Between 2020 and 2021, the state ranked second in national net migration — second only to Florida.

Within the last decade, Texas has experienced a boom in popularity. Between 2012 and 2022, the state's population increased by nearly 4 million, marking a growth rate of 15.1%. That’s more than double the U.S. average of 6.2% population growth within the same period.

Overall, the top five states with the highest emigration rate to Texas include California, Florida and Louisiana. Between 2021 and 2022, 105,434 Californians moved to the state, followed by 36,961 Floridians and 31,207 Louisiana residents. In total, these three states accounted for over 25% of all migrants to Texas during that time frame.

As of 2024, Texas is still one of the most popular move-in destinations. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Texas ranked as the fifth most desired state to relocate to.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Texas

Despite being the second most popular state to move to, receiving a net positive migration of 656,220 people between 2020 to 2023, Texas recently ranked as the 49th best U.S. state to move to based on a series of weighted factors, such as affordability and safety. This disparity between high migration and low desirability may be caused by the mass migration itself. Residents may find the newly populated areas less appealing and are increasingly drawn to newly trending locations.

However, many cities and towns in Texas are still popular move-in destinations, whether for their low cost of living or access to job opportunities. San Antonio, for example, added 41,700 new jobs between 2023 and 2024, while Fort Worth added 58,700. During the same period, San Antonio’s metro area experienced the largest percentage increase in employment among the top 35 metropolitan cities in the U.S.

These cities are also some of the cheapest places to live in the nation. San Antonio’s cost-of-living index is 91.6, while Fort Worth’s is 94.2. This makes both cities more affordable than the U.S. average — and far more affordable than the 172.5 index of New York City or the 149.1 index of Los Angeles.

Through the combination of these factors, Texas towns and cities have consistently attracted movers, despite low desirability in 2024. The top five Texas cities people moved to between 2020 and 2023 are as follows:

Why do people move to Texas?

Migrants choose Texas for a variety of reasons, from job opportunities to affordable housing. The median sale price for homes in the state is $347,600 — 17.3% less expensive than the U.S. median of $420,400. The state’s cost-of-living index is also lower than the national average, making it the 17th most affordable state in the nation.

Further, Texas offers job opportunities for would-be movers. The largest industries in the state are trade, transportation and utilities, professional and business services, and government. Collectively, these industries employ just under 50% of nonfarm Texans. The fastest growing industry in the state is the construction industry, which saw job growth of 4% between July of 2023 and July of 2024.

Texas housing statistics

With a median rent price of $1,488.89 and an median home sale price of $347,600, renters and homeowners alike can expect to pay around 17% less than the national median for housing in Texas.

Conversely, Texas has the sixth highest property taxes in the country, at a rate of 1.68%. That’s nearly double that of Florida (0.91%), another popular state among movers. In 2021, the average property owner in Tarrant County (Fort Worth) paid $4,396 in annual property taxes, while the average property owner in Bexar County (San Antonio) paid $3,719.

Cost-of-living statistics in Texas

With a cost-of-living index of 93, Texas has the 17th lowest cost of living in the nation. The state’s median household income of $72,381 is also slightly less than the U.S. median of $75,358. Similarly, the unemployment rate of 4% is comparable to the national unemployment rate of 4.2%.

In line with Texas’ cost of living, the state also has lower-than-average gas prices. The average cost per gallon in the state is $3.03, compared to the U.S. average of $3.26. Despite being an oil and gas giant on the world stage, Texas has also been moving toward green initiatives, ranking as the 21st most green state in 2024.

Texas’ relatively low cost of living can be attributed to the availability of land, the lack of income tax and its competitive markets. However, between 2019 and 2023, it’s worth noting that the influx of new residents has decreased affordability. The average home price rose by 40% during that time frame, and other goods and services aren’t far behind. Today, Texas remains affordable compared to the national average, but prices continue to rise.

Who lives in Texas?

As the second largest state in the country, Texas has an estimated 30,503,301 residents as of 2023. This represents a population increase of 831,854 people when compared to 2022.

Texas’ population is almost evenly male and female, with women accounting for 50.1% of the population and men accounting for 49.9%. In 2023, about 15.22 million Texas residents were male, and 15.29 million were female.

The Lone Star State’s population averages younger (35.7 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years old. Residents under 40 years old account for 16.58 million Texans, or nearly 57% of the state’s population. Perhaps due to an influx of families, the most abundant age demographic in the state is those between 10 to 14 years old, accounting for roughly 9.7% of the population.

Americans identifying as white make up the largest share of Texas residents, at 76.8%. The Hispanic population is also large in Texas, accounting for 39.8% of residents. Please note that those who identify as white in Texas are divided between the roughly 12.1 million who don’t identify as Hispanic and 11.3 million who do. Black and Asian residents account for 13.6% and 6% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Texas

Not sure how to start your move to Texas? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Understand the cost of living

While Texas is known for its desirable cost of living, it’s important to research all aspects of a state’s affordability. For example, Texas may be more affordable for independent contractors, due to the lack of income tax, but with high property taxes, the same can’t be said for large landowners.

Cost of living and housing prices also vary by city, with popular locations like Fort Worth and San Antonio being less than the national median but major cities like Austin and Dallas being more. Use resources like Texas.gov to compare costs in your desired location.

2. Prepare for diverse climates

Depending on the region of Texas you settle in, you may face a wide variety of climates. From the humid Gulf Coast to the Western deserts, you should prepare for summers that regularly reach 90 degrees or hotter. Winters are usually mild but hold a potential for deep freezes that can impact your home and transportation. It’s essential to plan for heat management and cold preparedness when moving. It can be wise to keep up to date with the local weather when considering a relocation.

3. Learn about the job market

With consistent job growth across multiple industries, Texas has a thriving economy with many job opportunities. The Texas job market largely centers around technology, oil and gas, and health care, though the construction industry has seen the largest job growth in 2024. Before you move, research job opportunities in your desired field. The Texas Workforce Commission provides insights into local job markets and hiring practices.

4. Understand transportation options

Though there is public transportation available in large cities like Houston, Dallas and Austin, the majority of Texans rely on personal vehicles day to day. Before moving, consider your transportation needs. Plan for car ownership unless you know there are alternatives, such as public transportation.

5. Prepare for cultural differences

Texas offers a unique culture that blends classic Southern hospitality with a strong, independent spirit. Whether you’re getting out to enjoy a local barbecue or spending a weekend at the rodeo, it can be rewarding to embrace the state’s unique culture.

6. Be aware of natural hazards

From hurricanes and floods to tornadoes and droughts, each part of Texas offers its own natural hazards. Research the region you’ll be moving to beforehand, so you can stay informed about local weather patterns. You can access preparedness resources through the Texas Department of Emergency Management.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Texas, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service one receives.