Families Cost of Living Guide: Texas (2026)

San Antonio earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 93 cost index sits 19 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 83, 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: 99. 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 Utilities at 91; the most expensive is Healthcare at 102. 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 Fort Worth's numbers: cost index 98 — whether that matters depends on your situation — (14 points below national average), rent $1,554/month, income $76,602, and a home price of $295,822. That's about what we'd expect given the state context. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Utilities is the cheapest category at 90, while Healthcare runs 101. As a major city with 978,468 residents, amenities and job markets are robust.

Why Arlington ranks #5: the numbers tell a clear story. At 98 on the cost index, residents save roughly 14% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,462/month while the median household pulls in $73,519/year. The Utilities category is particularly strong at 90, though Healthcare (100) lags behind. Home prices average $307,792 — $159,578 below the national median.