Top 10 Best Places to Buy a Home in Texas

Direct Answer

The Best Overall place to buy a home in Texas right now is Austin's surrounding suburbs, led by Round Rock and Cedar Park, where a median price around $450,000 buys a newer build, excellent schools, and access to the state's deepest tech-job market. The Best Value pick is San Antonio, where a median near $290,000 still buys a real single-family home with a yard inside a major metro — the lowest entry point of any big Texas city.

This list is built for buyers who want no state income tax, strong job growth, and room to grow — whether the budget sits near $250,000 or stretches toward a $1M-plus Hill Country estate. Every market below uses real, current price ranges, neighborhoods, and locations as of 2026–2027.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each Texas market against what real buyers actually weigh when relocating or upgrading. We leaned on data from Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, the Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, local MLS boards, and the U.S. Census. The weighting:

• Affordability vs local income — 25%
• Job growth and economy — 20%
• School quality — 15%
• Appreciation and resale — 15%
• Safety and quality of life — 15%
• Property-tax burden — 10%

A market with great jobs but punishing prices, or cheap homes with no employers nearby, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Round Rock & Cedar Park (Austin Suburbs) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Market | Entry price: $400K | Best for: Tech families who want top schools and no income tax

Median price: ~$450,000 | Best for: Move-up tech and family buyers | Location: Williamson County, 18–25 miles north of downtown Austin | Why buy here: Top-rated schools plus the state's strongest job engine

The northern Austin suburbs are the most complete place to own in Texas. Round Rock (home to Dell's headquarters) and Cedar Park pair Leander and Round Rock ISD schools — among the best-rated in the state — with newer construction and master-planned neighborhoods like Avery Ranch and Teravista.

A median near $450,000 still buys a four-bedroom build, well under Austin's urban core. Samsung's $17B Taylor chip plant and a wall of employers up the I-35 and 183A corridor keep demand and resale strong. This is where relocating engineers, managers, and dual-income families land.

Pros:

• Among the best public schools in Texas (Round Rock & Leander ISD)
• Direct access to Dell, Samsung, and the Austin tech market
• Newer master-planned homes with yards and amenities
• No Texas state income tax boosts take-home pay

Cons:

• Property-tax rates run high (often 2%+ of value)
• Prices sit well above the Texas median

Verdict: The most complete pick in Texas — top schools, top jobs, and strong resale in one place.

2. San Antonio 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Market | Entry price: $230K | Best for: First-time buyers who want the most home per dollar

Median price: ~$290,000 | Best for: Budget-conscious and first-time buyers | Location: South-central Texas, 80 miles southwest of Austin | Why buy here: The lowest big-metro entry price in the state

San Antonio is the smartest value in Texas. A median near $290,000 buys a genuine single-family home with a yard inside the nation's seventh-largest city — something Austin and Dallas can no longer offer. Neighborhoods like Alamo Heights (premium), Stone Oak (family suburbia), and Converse (affordable growth) span the budget range.

The economy leans on military (Joint Base San Antonio), healthcare, and a growing cybersecurity sector. Property taxes and cost of living undercut the rest of Texas's major metros, and the city's steady, non-bubbly appreciation makes it a low-risk entry.

Pros:

• Lowest median price among Texas's big four metros
• Stable military and healthcare job base
• Real single-family homes with yards still attainable
• Lower cost of living than Austin, Dallas, or Houston

Cons:

• Slower appreciation than Austin or DFW
• Summer heat and fewer high-wage tech jobs

Verdict: The value champion — more home for the money than anywhere else in major-metro Texas.

3. Frisco (Dallas–Fort Worth)

Type: Market | Entry price: $500K | Best for: Corporate-relocation families chasing top schools

Median price: ~$650,000 | Best for: Affluent move-up families | Location: Collin County, 30 miles north of downtown Dallas | Why buy here: Elite schools and a corporate-relocation magnet

Frisco has been one of the fastest-growing cities in America for a decade. Frisco ISD routinely earns top state ratings, and the city anchors the $5 Billion Mile corridor that drew the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters (The Star), PGA of America, and major corporate campuses.

A median near $650,000 buys newer, larger homes in master-planned communities. The trade-off is price — Frisco is no longer cheap — but for relocating corporate families, the combination of schools, amenities, and job proximity is unmatched in North Texas.

Pros:

• Top-rated Frisco ISD schools
• Major corporate and sports-business job base
• Newer, large master-planned homes
• Strong, sustained appreciation history

Cons:

• Median well above the Texas average
• Heavy traffic and rapid, crowded growth

Verdict: The North Texas premium pick — buy here for elite schools and corporate-job access.

4. The Woodlands (Houston)

Type: Market | Entry price: $400K | Best for: Energy-sector families who want forested suburbia

Median price: ~$550,000 | Best for: Professional families | Location: Montgomery County, 30 miles north of downtown Houston | Why buy here: Master-planned greenery near major energy employers

The Woodlands is the gold standard for Houston-area master-planned living. Wooded trails, top Conroe ISD schools, and corporate campuses (ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips, Huntsman) sit within the development itself, cutting commutes for energy professionals. A median near $550,000 spans townhomes to executive estates in villages like Carlton Woods and Grogan's Mill.

The walkable Woodlands Town Center adds dining, retail, and a waterway. It is pricier than greater Houston but delivers a self-contained, amenity-rich community.

Pros:

• Highly rated Conroe ISD schools
• Major energy employers inside the development
• Extensive forested trails and parks
• Walkable town center with dining and retail

Cons:

• Prices well above the Houston metro median
• Long commute if you work in central Houston

Verdict: Houston's premier master-planned community — ideal for energy-sector families wanting greenery.

5. Fort Worth

Type: Market | Entry price: $280K | Best for: Buyers who want DFW jobs at a lower price than Dallas

Median price: ~$340,000 | Best for: Value-focused metro buyers | Location: Tarrant County, western half of DFW | Why buy here: Big-metro access at a discount to Dallas proper

Fort Worth delivers Dallas-Fort Worth job access at a meaningfully lower price than its eastern twin. A median near $340,000 buys more home than comparable Dallas suburbs, and the city blends historic charm (the Stockyards, Sundance Square) with growth corridors like Alliance (home to a massive Amazon and logistics hub).

Neighborhoods range from affordable far north developments to upscale Westover Hills. With American Airlines, Lockheed Martin, and BNSF Railway anchoring employment, Fort Worth offers stability plus room to appreciate.

Pros:

• Lower prices than Dallas for the same metro access
• Strong employers: American Airlines, Lockheed, Amazon
• Distinct culture and revitalized downtown
• Room for continued appreciation

Cons:

• High property-tax rates like the rest of DFW
• West-side commutes to Dallas can be long

Verdict: The smart DFW value — Fort Worth gives metro jobs without Dallas-suburb pricing.

6. Georgetown

Type: Market | Entry price: $350K | Best for: Retirees and remote workers north of Austin

Median price: ~$420,000 | Best for: Retirees and remote professionals | Location: Williamson County, 30 miles north of Austin | Why buy here: America's fastest-growing city with a charming square

Georgetown has repeatedly ranked as America's fastest-growing city, and for good reason. The historic courthouse square anchors a walkable downtown, while Sun City Texas — one of the country's largest 55+ active-adult communities — draws retirees nationwide. A median near $420,000 buys newer homes a short drive from Austin's job market, making it popular with remote workers too.

It offers the Hill Country's edge of greenery without Austin's congestion or pricing, and its small-town identity has held even through explosive growth.

Pros:

• Walkable historic square and small-town charm
• Sun City Texas for active-adult buyers
• Lower prices than Austin's inner suburbs
• Quick access to the Austin job market

Cons:

• Rapid growth straining roads and services
• Fewer high-wage jobs within the city itself

Verdict: A retiree and remote-worker favorite — charm and value just north of Austin.

7. McKinney

Type: Market | Entry price: $400K | Best for: Families wanting Collin County schools below Frisco prices

Median price: ~$500,000 | Best for: Move-up families | Location: Collin County, 32 miles north of Dallas | Why buy here: Top schools and historic charm under Frisco pricing

McKinney consistently lands on "best places to live" lists, pairing a beautifully preserved historic downtown with strong McKinney ISD schools. A median near $500,000 sits below neighboring Frisco while offering the same Collin County advantages — excellent schools, low crime, and rising corporate employment.

Neighborhoods like Stonebridge Ranch and Adriatica Village offer master-planned amenities. For families who want the North Texas suburban package but find Frisco stretched, McKinney is the natural alternative with more character.

Pros:

• Strong McKinney ISD schools
• Award-winning, walkable historic downtown
• Lower median than neighboring Frisco
• Low crime and high quality-of-life rankings

Cons:

• Still above the Texas median price
• DFW-typical high property taxes

Verdict: Frisco quality with more charm and a lower price — a top Collin County value.

8. El Paso

Type: Market | Entry price: $200K | Best for: Buyers prioritizing safety and the lowest prices

Median price: ~$245,000 | Best for: First-time and budget buyers | Location: Far West Texas, on the New Mexico/Mexico border | Why buy here: Among the lowest prices and safest big cities in the U.S.

El Paso offers the lowest big-city home prices in Texas and ranks year after year among the safest large cities in America. A median near $245,000 buys a comfortable home, and the stable economy leans on Fort Bliss (one of the Army's largest installations), healthcare, and cross-border trade.

While appreciation is modest and the city is geographically isolated, buyers who prioritize affordability, safety, and a tight-knit community find El Paso hard to beat on pure dollars-per-square-foot.

Pros:

• Lowest median price of any Texas metro on this list
• Consistently ranked among the safest big U.S. Cities
• Stable Fort Bliss military economy
• Low cost of living overall

Cons:

• Modest appreciation and resale upside
• Geographically isolated from the rest of Texas

Verdict: The safety-and-affordability play — unbeatable on price for security-focused buyers.

9. New Braunfels

Type: Market | Entry price: $320K | Best for: Buyers wanting Hill Country living between two metros

Median price: ~$390,000 | Best for: Outdoor-loving families and commuters | Location: Comal County, on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio | Why buy here: River-town charm with access to two job markets

New Braunfels sits in the Texas Hill Country halfway between Austin and San Antonio, giving residents two job markets to draw from. Famous for the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, Schlitterbahn, and German heritage (Gruene historic district), it blends recreation with steady growth.

A median near $390,000 buys newer homes in master-planned communities like Veramendi. It is one of Texas's fastest-growing cities, offering Hill Country scenery and water recreation without Austin's price tag.

Pros:

• Access to both Austin and San Antonio job markets
• Rivers, tubing, and outdoor recreation
• Historic Gruene district and German heritage
• Newer master-planned homes below Austin prices

Cons:

• I-35 commute traffic in both directions
• Summer tourism crowds the rivers

Verdict: The Hill Country sweet spot — recreation and dual-metro access at a reasonable price.

10. Lubbock

Type: Market | Entry price: $200K | Best for: College-town buyers and rental investors

Median price: ~$235,000 | Best for: Investors and budget buyers | Location: West Texas / South Plains | Why buy here: Low prices anchored by a major university

Lubbock is a stable, affordable West Texas city anchored by Texas Tech University and a large medical district. A median near $235,000 is among the lowest on this list, and the steady student population makes Lubbock a favorite for rental-property investors. The economy blends education, healthcare, and agriculture, giving it recession resistance.

Appreciation is slow and steady rather than explosive, but for buyers and investors who want cash-flowing affordability with a reliable demand base, Lubbock delivers.

Pros:

• Very low median price near $235,000
• Texas Tech anchors steady rental demand
• Stable education, medical, and ag economy
• Strong cash-flow potential for investors

Cons:

• Slow appreciation and limited upside
• Remote location and flat, windy terrain

Verdict: The investor and budget pick — cheap homes with reliable, university-driven demand.

Which One Is Right for You?

What to Look For

• Property-tax reality — Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are high (often 2%+ of value). Always price the annual tax bill, not just the sticker — it changes affordability dramatically.
• School-district lines — In Texas, the ISD boundary drives both resale value and quality of life. Confirm the exact attendance zone before you buy, not just the city.
• Job-market proximity — Match the home to where the wages are: Austin tech, Houston energy, DFW corporate, or San Antonio military/medical. Commute length is a daily cost.
• Growth-stage vs established — Fast-growth suburbs offer newer homes but strained roads; established areas offer stability but older stock. Decide which trade-off you want.
• Insurance and climate — Hail (North Texas), flooding (Houston), and heat affect premiums. Get an insurance quote before closing.
• HOA and master-plan fees — Master-planned communities add monthly dues; factor them into the true monthly cost.

What matters less than the hype: trendy downtown buzz and listing-photo staging. The tax bill, school zone, and commute affect your wallet and daily life far more than a market's social-media moment.

FAQ

What is the best place to buy a home in Texas overall? The northern Austin suburbs — Round Rock and Cedar Park — earn our top spot, pairing top-rated schools, the state's strongest tech-job market, and newer homes around a $450,000 median.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a home in Texas? Among major cities, El Paso (median ~$245,000) and Lubbock (~$235,000) offer the lowest prices, with San Antonio (~$290,000) the cheapest of the big-four metros.

Which Texas city has the best schools for families? Frisco and McKinney in Collin County, plus the Round Rock/Leander districts near Austin and Conroe ISD around The Woodlands, consistently earn the state's top ratings.

Does Texas have property taxes instead of income tax? Yes. Texas levies no state income tax but charges relatively high property taxes, often 2% or more of assessed value, so always budget the annual tax bill.

Where should I buy in Texas for the best investment return? Lubbock offers strong rental cash flow from Texas Tech demand, while fast-growing suburbs like Frisco, Georgetown, and New Braunfels have delivered the strongest appreciation.

Is San Antonio a good place to buy a home? Yes — San Antonio is the best value among Texas's major metros, with real single-family homes under a $290,000 median, a stable military-and-medical economy, and a lower cost of living.

Bottom Line

For 2026–2027, the Austin suburbs of Round Rock and Cedar Park are our Best Overall place to buy in Texas — around a $450,000 median, they combine top schools, the state's deepest tech-job market, and strong resale. San Antonio, near a $290,000 median, is our Best Value, offering real single-family homes inside a major metro for the lowest big-city entry price in the state.

If your priorities lean toward elite North Texas schools, energy-sector suburbia, Hill Country recreation, or rock-bottom prices, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Frisco, The Woodlands, New Braunfels, or El Paso instead. Buy on taxes, schools, and commute — not on hype — and you will be happy for years.

Sources

• Zillow — Texas home values and market data
• Redfin — Texas housing market trends
• Realtor.com — Texas real estate listings and trends
• Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center
• Wall Street Journal — real estate coverage
• Mansion Global — Texas luxury market
• U.S. Census — Texas QuickFacts
• Texas Association of Realtors — market reports
• Niche — best places to live in Texas

*Texas real estate review — best places to buy a home in Texas reviews, rating, Texas housing market review 2027, and a review of where to buy a home in Texas for buyers.*