Texas has become a popular place to move. Many people from different backgrounds are coming to live here. Texas has a solid attraction for people seeking warmth or refuge from fires, whether it is a friend or family member. Texas’ population surged by almost 4 million people between 2010 and 2020. Nearly half of these new residents are from other states or countries. These statistics show Texas’ remarkable growth. This prompts the question many ask: “Why are so many people moving to Texas?”
This article will tell you why Texas is an attractive place to visit. We’ll discuss affordable living, many job opportunities, diversity, and other reasons. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Corpus Christi, searching for an apartment in Dallas, or curious about why so many people love Austin, keep reading to find out why Texas is a great place to call home. You might even discover your reasons to love this Lone Star State.
The economy is booming.
Texas has a strong economy, which attracts businesses and job seekers. Texas was named the best state to start a business in a report by WalletHub. It ranked second for its business environment. Texas is now a top place for beginning businesses, beating Georgia and California. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas says that Texas adds 9% to America’s GDP. This is only less than California’s contribution. In 2021, Texas was the 9th biggest economy globally, more significant than Canada, South Korea, and Brazil. In 2020, big companies like Amazon, CBRE, Tesla, HP, and Oracle moved to Texas. This made a big difference in Texas’ success.
Moreover, job seekers can anticipate ample employment opportunities across the state. Texas is creating more jobs than other states. The population is growing too, which is helping it happen. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, by the end of 2021, the state had about 13.06 million non-farm jobs. This is 89,600 jobs, more than before the pandemic. During the pandemic-induced shutdowns in April 2020, the unemployment rate rose to 12.9%. However, by December 2021, it had significantly improved to 5%.
Texas has good-paying jobs and salaries for its residents—the latest available data from the U.S. The Census Bureau says Houston has 2,304,580 people and a median household income of $53,600. Plano has 285,494 residents. They make more money per household than many other places. The median household income is $96,348. Similarly, Dallas, housing 1,304,379 individuals, records a median household income of $54,747.
Job market
Texas’s job market is improving because many people are moving there. Many technology companies have come to Texas due to its growing popularity. The job market is good in the state. Unemployment dropped from 4.8% to 4.2% in May 2022. Many industries, such as oil, technology, engineering, and food, are thriving.
Tech
Many famous tech companies now live in Texas. Tesla, led by Elon Musk, moved to Texas. Big companies like Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Facebook, Google, Hitachi, and Intel have grown in the state.
Austin is famous for technology and is home to Dell’s main office. Other big companies like Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, and Samsung have jobs in Texas, including Dallas and San Antonio.
Engineering
The state has big engineering companies like Black and Decker, Kubota tractors, and Toyota. People want to live here because they’re famous and have good jobs.
Oil
In the oil sector, Texas shines as a hub for job seekers. ExxonMobil’s headquarters are in Irving, TX. Meanwhile, Phillips 66 is located in Houston, and Valero Energy is in San Antonio. Fortune 500 companies are essential for the state’s economy and create many jobs.
Aerospace
The aerospace industry is doing well in Texas. Big airlines like American Airlines and Southwest Airlines operate from the state. Texas has more aerospace companies like Airbus. This creates more jobs in the industry.
Food retailers and more
Texas has many options for food and entertainment. Plano, TX, has favorite things like Frito-Lay and Cinemark. Austin is where Whole Foods Market is located. The state has many different kinds of places. You can find national food stores, entertainment companies, and more. Living here means having lots of job choices available.
Great schools
Texas is famous for both its excellent schools and job opportunities. The state has great colleges and universities known for being good academically.
Colleges & universities
Six schools in Texas were ranked among the top 100 in the country by U.S. News & World Report in 2022. Rice University is number one on the list of top universities in Texas based in Houston. The University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University follow. Texas A&M University is one of the top 100 universities in the U.S. Texas A&M is in College Station, close to big cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. This makes it easy for students all over the state to get there.
K-12 schools
Texas has an excellent K-12 school system, along with good colleges. The state has excellent public and private schools that give good education to people of all ages. The Houston and Highland Park school districts in Texas are some of the best in the country.
In 2021, 26 Texas schools received the National Blue Ribbon Award. These schools in cities like Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio were recognized for outstanding performance at various education levels, including elementary, middle, and high school. Some schools in Texas got praised for closing the gap in academic achievement, which is a tough job in today’s schools. Texas has many great schools for students to choose from. It can be hard to decide where to go, but many options exist.
Buying a home in Texas is affordable
Want to find an affordable home near big cities? Texas has many options for you. It’s a great place to escape high housing prices. Some of the best places to settle down in Texas are remarkably affordable. In San Antonio, a famous city, the median home price is $280,000, costing $159 per square foot.
If good schools are a priority, consider Plano. Homes here cost $475,000 on average, but your children can get an excellent education. Houston has many jobs and a median home price of $329,000, so it’s an attractive place to work and live. Texas has many great and affordable housing options. The cities we looked at are just a sample.
Food and drinks are available in abundance.
Texas is famous for its exceptional food and drinks that are better than others. While not necessarily the healthiest, Texas cuisine excels in taste and flavor. The summary is simple: it’s a lot of tasty food with big servings. Many famous Texan foods didn’t start in Texas but became part of the local culture.
Texas cuisine is well-known for its delicious barbecue and beef brisket. They’re essential parts of the food culture in Texas. Chili, Tex-Mex delights like chile con queso, delicious margaritas, iconic Frito pie, the beloved Dr. Pepper, Shiner Bock beer, and many other delicious foods make up Texan cuisine. Texas has different barbecue traditions across the state. In central Texas, they prefer to use little or no sauce. Regardless of the style, indulging in Texas barbecue is an absolute must. The same can be said for Tex-Mex, a unique and distinct culinary category in its own right.
However, the Texan food scene offers more than barbecue, ribs, and tacos. Texas has tasty non-meat options like Texas toast, kolaches inspired by Czech immigrants, and jalapeno cornbread. The state has yummy peaches, grapefruits, and famous Blue Bell Creameries.
If you need help figuring out where to start your food adventure, many guides are available to help you. They include the newest restaurants for 2022. There are many great places to eat in cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas. You can find the perfect restaurant to satisfy all your cravings and tastes.
Climate
Texas is attracting people for various reasons, and one of them is its warm climate. The state offers an abundance of sunny and warm days throughout the year.
More sunny & warm days
Amarillo is a city in the north of Texas. It has many sunny days. Amarillo gets a lot of sunny days, about 200 in total, with both full and partial sunshine. This means there are plenty of chances to spend time outside. On the other hand, cities further south and east, such as El Paso, boast even more sunshine. El Paso usually has 193 sunny days and 100 partly sunny days, for 293 sunny days yearly.
Living in Texas has the benefit of having less harsh winters than many other places. In the winter, it’s usually between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. While summers can be hot and humid, their duration is relatively short compared to the rest of the year. Fortunately, Texans have various ways to beat the heat during the warmer months. Many homes have air conditioning and swimming pools. They keep people relaxed and comfortable.
Impacts of climate change
People worry about climate change’s impact on housing when moving to another state. Texas has a lower wildfire risk than western or inland states like Colorado. Texas has built communities designed for climate change. They are called “master-planned communities,” and Texas has invested money in them. These places have pools and good air conditioning to make hot weather more bearable. In Texas, some communities have modern drainage systems to avoid floods.
While no city or state can escape the effects of climate change, experts anticipate that certain cities in Texas may experience fewer adverse effects than other cities in the United States.
As the saying goes, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” which also extends to its culture. If you move to Texas, you’ll always see people wearing cowboy boots. They say “mum” instead of “mom,” and being proud of Texas is essential to them. Moreover, Texas boasts a vibrant art and entertainment scene, with numerous festivals, concerts, and theaters throughout the state. Texas has more than 30 music festivals each year, such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. People from around the world come to these famous events.
It’s diverse
The dynamic and diverse cities in Texas thrive with innovation and activity. Texas is the second most diverse state in the United States. It has a rich mix of cultures. Houston has 145 languages spoken, which shows its varied population.
Texas has many people from other countries living there. From 2015 to 2019, 40% of new residents came from countries such as India, China, and Mexico. The politics in Texas are different, with most people being conservative. However, in big cities, Democrats get 60-80% of the vote.
WalletHub’s study shows that Texas is the second most diverse state in the U.S. The study found that Texas is diverse in many ways. It ranks fourth in race and ethnicity, third in language, and first in industry. The state has many job options that attract people from different backgrounds. This makes it popular, and new people move here every year. Houston is the most diverse city in America, according to Hotels.com. This is because of its universities and tech industry. Austin has big companies like Apple, Facebook, Home Depot, and Whole Foods. They have their main offices here.
Activities and attractions abound.
Texas has many things to do and see, so you’ll always be energized. Explore the famous Space Center Houston to learn about cultural heritage and space. Take a relaxing walk at the beautiful San Antonio River Walk. Visit the historic Fort Worth Stockyards District to experience the Old West. Visit the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi. It’s a naval museum that shows you some history of ships.
The Alamo in San Antonio is a famous place. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that many people visit. History buffs and fans of UNESCO like to go there. The Dallas World Aquarium is fun for kids. They can learn a lot there too.
Texas’s natural beauty is equally captivating, with its diverse landscapes and breathtaking scenery. Along the Gulf coast, the Padre Island National Seashore beckons with its untouched coastline, stretching for 70 miles and encompassing dunes, prairies, and teeming marine life. The Big Bend National Park is fun for people who like outdoor activities. You can enjoy beautiful drives, hiking, seeing amazing canyons, and even getting to the Rio Grande River. Guadalupe Mountains National Park has different places to see nature. It’s a good spot for nature lovers to enjoy diverse landscapes and ecosystems. Many adventurers come here every year. They want to climb Guadalupe Peak, the highest place in Texas. Dinosaur Valley State Park has real dinosaur tracks you can see. They are millions of years old, and it’s impressive to see them.
State income taxes will not apply to you.
Undoubtedly, Texas is one of the most tax-friendly states in the nation. The state has affordable cities and a low cost of living. People who live there do not have to pay personal income taxes. Instead, the financial structure relies on sale and property taxes. This distinct characteristic contributes to the economic benefits of relocating to Texas.
Texas is one of the eight U.S. states without an income tax. If you move to Texas and earn $50,000 annually, you could save $2,000 to $6,000 more annually using their tax benefits. The lack of state income tax is a significant advantage. It lets people keep more money and have more financial freedom.
Lively sports culture
On weekends, in Texas, people love sports a lot. They go to sports bars and stadiums to cheer on their favorite teams with passion. The pro sports scene in the state is famous, with iconic teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, Houston Texans, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, and San Antonio Spurs that fans love. However, Texas’s sporting legacy extends beyond modern times, reaching back to the pioneer era when the state gained a national reputation through the thrilling Texas cowboy rodeos. Texan heritage traditions still prosper today. They captivate people with their exciting displays of courage and ability. These traditions keep the essence of Texan culture thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We made a list of questions people often ask when moving to Texas.
Why are so many people moving to Texas?
Texas is attracting a significant number of people due to several reasons. The state has many good things, like jobs, affordable houses, and lovely things to do. People like living there because it’s not too expensive and there are cool things to see.
Is the Texas economy a significant factor for people moving there?
Yes, the Texas economy is a major driving force behind people moving to the state. Texas has a strong and varied economy. Many industries, like energy, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace, are doing well. The state’s policies help businesses, and no state income tax exists. This is good for entrepreneurs and professionals.
Are job opportunities a significant factor for people moving to Texas?
Absolutely. Texas has many job openings in various fields, such as energy, technology, healthcare, and construction. The state has more job options than before, and companies like to come here. That’s good for people who want better job opportunities.
Is the affordability of housing a critical factor in people’s decision to move to Texas?
Yes, housing affordability is a significant factor attracting people to Texas. Texas has cheaper housing costs than many other states. This helps people find affordable homes or apartments, whether renting or buying.
Does the low cost of living in Texas contribute to its popularity?
Absolutely. In addition to affordable housing, Texas boasts a generally low cost of living. Living in this state is cheaper than in other states. Everyday expenses like groceries, transportation, and healthcare are more affordable. This makes it the best option for those seeking a better quality of life.
Are there any specific cultural or lifestyle factors drawing people to Texas?
Yes, Texas has a unique cultural identity and a diverse population that appeals to many. The state has a mix of Southern kindness, Western culture, and exciting cities. Texas has a lot to offer cultural experiences for residents. You can enjoy rodeos and country music or visit bustling cities with great museums.
Are the natural attractions and outdoor activities in Texas a reason for migration?
Absolutely. Texas boasts diverse landscapes, including beautiful coastlines, expansive forests, rolling hills, and deserts. The state has many outdoor fun opportunities, like hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. These activities appeal to people who enjoy nature and being outside.
Are there any specific cities in Texas that are particularly popular among movers?
Yes, several cities in Texas are popular destinations for those moving to the state. Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are great places to work, have fun, and enjoy life. Cities have different things to offer, depending on what you like. So you should select the one that meets your needs and priorities.
What should I consider before moving to Texas?
If you plan to move to Texas, think about some essential things. Check the weather in different areas of the state. Learn about transportation options and schools. Find good healthcare nearby. Think about how far you’ll be from your friends and family. To learn more about Texas, try looking up individual cities or regions. You’ll discover what they offer in terms of lifestyle and amenities.
Are there any challenges or considerations I should know when moving to Texas?
While Texas offers numerous benefits, being aware of potential challenges is essential. Some dangers come with specific places and times of the year. For example, hurricanes or tornadoes can happen in some areas. It can also get hot in the summer, city traffic can be heavy, and the air may not be. Being ready for the state’s size and culture can make moving there easier.
Conclusion
Texas attracts many people who want a better life for many reasons. The state has many good things, like job opportunities, cheap places to live, low taxes, pretty nature, incredible history, and excellent schools. All these things make people want to be here. Texas has something for everyone. Texas has plenty of options if you start a business, have a career, or settle down with your family.
Why wait? Join the wave of people moving to Texas and have an exciting journey in the Lone Star State!
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