When it comes to places to retire, Texas is often at the top of people’s lists for a variety of reasons. The state overall has warm weather year-round, making it a haven for snowbirds. Texas also does not have state income tax, meaning retirees’ money stretches further here. There are lots of places in Texas that have a lower cost of living than the national average as well, and the state’s large size means there’s still room for those moving in and looking for a little slice of paradise for life’s quieter years. Add in the state’s large amount of state parks, forests, beaches, and even national parks, and retirees have lots of places to hike, bike, unwind in the sand, and explore all year long.
We’ve talked with expert real estate agents across the state to bring you the eight best places to retire in Texas right now for wide-open spaces, lower costs of living, and plenty of adventure.
01 of 08
Houston
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A large mural in downtown Houston, Texas.
As Texas’s largest city, Houston has lots to offer retirees, especially in the medical industry. Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked the best hospital in Texas, and MD Anderson is No. 1 in the nation for cancer care. Houston’s cost of living is also generally lower than cities of comparable sizes in other states, and according to the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston’s housing costs are almost 22 percent below the national urban average. “Houston delivers big-city amenities at a lower cost of living than most major metros, so retirees’ dollars go further without sacrificing lifestyle,” says Paige Martin, a team lead with the Houston Properties Team. Houston is also a multicultural city with more than 13,000 restaurants representing food from more than 70 countries, giving retirees endless options to try new dining spots. And as far as things to do, Houston is a cornucopia. There’s Space Center Houston to learn about NASA and our solar system, the Houston Zoo, and the Museum of Fine Arts, all of which are great places to take grandchildren as well. Active seniors will love the city’s green spaces, as there are more than 350 parks and over 125 miles of hiking and biking trails. According to Martin, “Houston gives retirees choice, value, and access via affordable homes, world-class care, vibrant culture, and daily outdoor living.”
02 of 08
Dallas-Fort Worth
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Aerial view of downtown Dallas, Texas.
Yes, Dallas and Fort Worth are two very different cities located about 30 miles from each other, but for the purpose of this article, the general lumping together of Dallas-Fort Worth as a metroplex works well, as both cities—along with several suburbs—offer numerous benefits for retirees. Both cities are rapidly growing, with Dallas as the ninth-largest city in the country and Fort Worth coming in at the eleventh-largest. This means that the DFW area is exploding with housing opportunities, found in both new and historic neighborhoods, luxury apartments, and senior living communities. Healthcare is also abundant, including nationally ranked Baylor University Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Sports are also huge in Dallas-Fort Worth, as the metroplex is home to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, and FC Dallas—offering retirees plenty of fun year-round. “Dallas-Fort Worth is an incredible place to retire because it truly offers the best of both worlds: big-city energy with a relaxed, connected lifestyle,” says Carrie Himel, a DFW-based realtor with The Carrie Himel Group. “We’re centrally located, which makes it easy to get anywhere in the country quickly, and our two major airports make travel effortless.” Perhaps the best part? There are lots of college campuses throughout Dallas-Fort Worth that offer lifelong learning programs, which waive tuition for seniors. Participating universities include the University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Arlington, Dallas College, and Tarrant County College.
03 of 08
Rockport
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Colorful beach bungalows in Rockport, Texas.
The Texas coast has numerous beach towns that are great for retirement, but we chose Rockport for its older demographic, lower cost of living, and outdoor opportunities. With a population of about 11,000, Rockport is a smaller town with a tight-knit community. The median age for residents is 50, meaning that retirees can find friends their age with ease. The cost of living is slightly lower than the national average here as well, and waterfront homes offer beautiful views of Aransas Bay. Of course, as with any seaside town, hurricanes are a concern, but the year-round warm weather and comfortable winters make Rockport an easy choice. Rockport is home to Texas’s only Blue Wave-certified beach, meaning that it’s one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the state. Aside from swimming, Rockport’s shores are great for fishing, kayaking, and boating.
04 of 08
Kerrville
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City hall in Kerrville, Texas.
Northwest of San Antonio is Kerrville, a Hill Country town with a population of about 25,000 people. Here, crime rates are lower than the national average, making it a safe place for retirees, and plenty of wide-open spaces offer birding, fishing, golfing, hunting, and scenic nature walks. The downtown area has charming retail boutiques and restaurants, plus wineries and breweries, too. The Cailloux Theater has an ever-changing schedule of performances that include orchestras, symphonies, plays, and musicals, and the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center showcases works from regional and national artists and offers art classes for all ages. Kerrville’s prime location means it’s great for road trippers and bikers who want to spend weekends roaming around Hill Country, and since it’s not far from major cities like San Antonio and Austin, it’s a great choice for that small-town feel while being close to major hospitals and entertainment venues.
05 of 08
Fredericksburg
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Stores in downtown Fredericksburg, Texas.
West of Austin, you’ll find Fredericksburg, Texas, a 19th-century town founded by German immigrants that is today a frequently visited locale for its wineries, charming downtown, and outdoor adventures. Sure, living in Fredericksburg means you’ll have tourists around at all times of the year, but it also means you’re in a place with plenty of things to do for when children and grandchildren come into town. Plus, despite the city’s appeal to tourists, Fredericksburg still maintains its small-town charm, with plenty of picturesque properties complete with large front porches and sizeable lots. Spend weekends hopping around the area’s other small Texas towns, or hike and bike through surrounding state parks, which are plentiful and full of fun.
06 of 08
McAllen
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A shopping street in McAllen, Texas.
In South Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, McAllen is a major city just 10 miles from the Mexican border, where Mexican culture thrives through arts and the city’s south-of-the-border food scene. The city’s healthcare system is great, with Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the South Texas Health System offering emergency care plus cardiac and geriatric services. Birding, a top hobby for retirees, is huge here, as the city’s location in the Rio Grande Valley has extreme bird biodiversity and numerous habitats, which attract hundreds of bird species not found anywhere else in the country. Here, find the Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, where trails allow you to immerse yourself in nature while marking off birds from your list. McAllen’s cost of living is also lower than the national and state averages, making it much more affordable for retirees.
07 of 08
Beaumont
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Crockett Street in downtown Beaumont, Texas.
Near the Louisiana border in southeast Texas, Beaumont is a culturally rich city that boasts a lower cost of living than the national average. It’s also about a 90-minute drive to Houston, making it accessible to excellent healthcare while maintaining its small-town appeal. Beaumont’s arts scene is surprisingly wonderful, as the city is home to numerous museums, galleries, and theaters. Here, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas gives visitors always-fresh exhibits, and the historic Jefferson Theatre hosts exciting shows and performances. Beaumont is surrounded by nature, with the Big Thicket National Preserve about 30 miles away and Cattail Marsh Wetlands right in town. Spend time amongst the pines on a hike or go fishing and birding. Here, there are plenty of places to cast a line or unwind with a picnic.
08 of 08
Corpus Christi
Another coastal favorite, Corpus Christi is a larger Texas beach city, meaning you’ll have plenty to do when the grandkids are in town. The Texas State Aquarium is a surefire win time after time, as the young and young at heart can explore numerous exhibits with jellyfish, sharks, eels, and touch tanks to get up close and personal. The USS Lexington Museum lies within a WWII-era aircraft carrier that sits in the Corpus Christi Bay, offering visitors a Pearl Harbor exhibit, flight simulators, and more, and the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center sits on almost 200 acres full of exotic gardens and resident reptiles. The cost of living in Corpus Christi is lower than the national average, and the city has more than 255 sunny days a year, giving retirees plenty of time for the beach.
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