Families Cost of Living Guide: Texas (2026)

San Antonio earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 79 cost index sits 32 points below the national baseline, and the $62,917 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $247,132 — $220,238 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 79, while Healthcare trails at 96.

Here's Dallas by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). Cost index: 93. That's about what we'd expect given the state context. Rent: $1,591/month. Income: $67,760/year. Home price: $305,523. Population: 1,302,868. The strongest category is Housing at 93; the most expensive is Healthcare at 99. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $3,648 per year vs. the national median. For families with student loans, that cost gap is a second income.

Dive into Austin's numbers: cost index 89 — whether that matters depends on your situation — (22 points below national average), rent $1,531/month, income $91,461, and a home price of $500,627. That's about what we'd expect given the state context. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 89, while Healthcare runs 98. As a major city with 979,882 residents, amenities and job markets are robust.

Why Fort Worth ranks #5: the numbers tell a clear story. At 91 on the cost index, residents save roughly 20% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,554/month while the median household pulls in $76,602/year. The Housing category is particularly strong at 91, though Healthcare (98) lags behind. Home prices average $295,822 — $171,548 below the national median.