Texas is one of the most popular relocation destinations in the US, and for good reason. No state income tax means you keep more of your paycheck. But not every Texas metro is equally affordable. Austin and Dallas have gotten noticeably more expensive over the past few years, while cities like El Paso and San Antonio remain well below the national average. Here is how every major Texas metro stacks up on a $75K salary.
2-BR Rent
$1,060/mo
Grocery Index
85
Dining Index
84
Median Home
$155,000
2-BR Rent
$1,191/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
89
Median Home
$210,000
2-BR Rent
$1,426/mo
Grocery Index
90
Dining Index
91
Median Home
$280,000
2-BR Rent
$1,573/mo
Grocery Index
92
Dining Index
92
Median Home
$298,000
2-BR Rent
$1,852/mo
Grocery Index
96
Dining Index
102
Median Home
$475,000
2-BR Rent
$1,931/mo
Grocery Index
93
Dining Index
95
Median Home
$355,000
Since Texas has no state income tax, your take-home pay is the same regardless of which city you pick. The real difference comes down to rent and everyday expenses. Use VenScope to compare any two Texas cities side by side with your actual salary.
Compare Texas cities side by sideData from IRS (2026 brackets), HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026), BLS Consumer Price Index, and Zillow ZHVI.