Top 10 Retirement Towns in Texas in 2026

1. Georgetown Texas

Georgetown earns the top spot for its combination of a historic downtown square, mild Central Texas climate, and proximity to Austin's medical facilities just 30 miles south. The city's Sun City Texas community, one of the largest active-adult developments in the country, offers golf courses, fitness centers, and hundreds of clubs. Median home prices remain below Austin's, and property taxes are offset by Texas's lack of state income tax.

Georgetown suits retirees who want a walkable small-town core with big-city healthcare within a short drive. It trades away urban nightlife and cultural density for quieter streets and lower costs. Compared to Boerne below it, Georgetown offers more established retiree infrastructure and a larger peer community, though Boerne provides easier access to San Antonio's medical corridor.

2. Boerne Texas

Boerne ranks second for its Hill Country setting 30 miles northwest of San Antonio, giving residents access to top-tier hospitals while living among cypress-lined creeks and rolling terrain. The town's Main Street hosts a farmers market and German-Texan heritage events, and the median home price sits well under comparable Colorado or Arizona retirement towns. No state income tax further stretches retirement budgets.

Boerne fits retirees who prioritize scenery and San Antonio healthcare access over a large built-in retiree community. It trades away the dense amenity schedule of a master-planned active-adult village for a more integrated, all-ages small town. Compared to Georgetown above it, Boerne is smaller and quieter but lacks the same concentration of age-restricted neighborhoods and organized retiree programming.

3. New Braunfels Texas

New Braunfels takes third for its pair of spring-fed rivers, Schlitterbahn waterpark, and a growing medical district along Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio. The city's Gruene Historic District offers live country music and dance halls, and the retiree population has grown steadily as master-planned communities like Veramendi add housing. Median home prices undercut Austin by a wide margin.

New Braunfels suits active retirees who want river recreation, German-Texan culture, and two metro areas within 45 minutes. It trades away the intimacy of a smaller town for traffic and rapid growth along the I-35 corridor. Compared to Boerne above it, New Braunfels offers more entertainment and dining but less Hill Country seclusion and a busier daily pace.

4. Fredericksburg Texas

Fredericksburg claims fourth for its German heritage architecture, more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, and a walkable Main Street lined with bakeries, galleries, and B&Bs. The town sits in the Hill Country about 70 miles west of Austin and San Antonio, and its mild winters and 220-plus sunny days suit outdoor recreation. Healthcare access comes through a local hospital and nearby Kerrville.

Fredericksburg fits retirees who want wine culture, history, and a tourist-friendly downtown within a compact town. It trades away big-city medical specialization and airport convenience for charm and scenery. Compared to New Braunfels above it, Fredericksburg is more relaxed and culturally distinct but farther from major hospitals and interstate travel.

5. Kerrville Texas

Kerrville ranks fifth for its Guadalupe River frontage, low cost of living, and a dedicated medical community anchored by Peterson Regional Medical Center. The town of roughly 24,000 sits at the edge of the Hill Country, offering affordable housing, a municipal golf course, and the annual Kerrville Folk Festival. Summers are warm but the river and 1,600-foot elevation moderate the heat.

Kerrville suits retirees seeking small-town affordability with basic healthcare already in place. It trades away fine dining, cultural venues, and airport proximity for low prices and a slower rhythm. Compared to Fredericksburg above it, Kerrville is less touristy and cheaper but offers fewer wineries, restaurants, and historic attractions.

6. San Marcos Texas

San Marcos earns sixth for its position on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, giving retirees two major medical networks within 30 minutes. The San Marcos River, spring-fed and constant-temperature, supports tubing and kayaking year-round, and Texas State University brings lectures and cultural events. Housing costs remain below both neighboring metros.

San Marcos fits retirees who want college-town energy, river access, and dual-metro healthcare without paying Austin prices. It trades away quiet and exclusivity for student traffic and a busier commercial strip. Compared to Kerrville above it, San Marcos offers far better hospital access and amenities but a noisier, less secluded retirement setting.

7. Wimberley Texas

Wimberley takes seventh for its artistic community, Blue Hole swimming area, and Cypress Creek setting in the Hill Country about 40 miles from Austin. The town's square hosts galleries, craft shops, and a market day, and the surrounding area attracts retirees seeking acreage and dark skies. Population remains under 3,000, keeping density low and property sizes generous.

Wimberley suits retirees who want rural acreage, an arts scene, and proximity to Austin without living in it. It trades away walkable services and nearby hospitals for scenery and privacy. Compared to San Marcos below it, Wimberley is quieter and more rural but requires longer drives for groceries, specialists, and airport access.

8. Marble Falls Texas

Marble Falls ranks eighth for its position on Lake Marble Falls and Lake LBJ, offering waterfront living and boating within an hour of Austin. The town of about 7,000 has a growing medical presence through Baylor Scott & White, a historic downtown, and the nearby Balcones Canyonlands for hiking. Lakefront and golf-course homes remain affordable relative to coastal retirement markets.

Marble Falls fits retirees who want water recreation and Hill Country views with reasonable healthcare access. It trades away urban dining and entertainment for a lakeside pace and limited public transit. Compared to Wimberley above it, Marble Falls offers more water access and a larger hospital presence but less of an arts identity and tighter lot sizes near the lake.

9. Athens Texas

Athens places ninth for its low housing costs, three lakes within 20 minutes, and a East Texas setting about 75 miles southeast of Dallas. The town hosts the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and a well-known annual fiddlers contest, and its cost of living runs well below the state average. UT Health East Texas operates a hospital in town.

Athens suits retirees on fixed budgets who want lake fishing, piney woods, and Dallas medical access within a day trip. It trades away cultural density and fine dining for affordability and small-town familiarity. Compared to Marble Falls above it, Athens is cheaper and greener but farther from a major metro and its specialty care.

10. Granbury Texas

Granbury rounds out the list for its restored 19th-century courthouse square, a lake with a sandy beach, and a cost of living below the Dallas-Fort Worth average. The town of about 10,000 sits 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth, giving retirees metro healthcare and airport access without metro prices. Lake Granbury offers waterfront homes and a popular annual wine festival.

Granbury fits retirees who want a historic small town with DFW amenities within a short drive. It trades away Hill Country scenery and river recreation for lake living and prairie terrain. Compared to Athens above it, Granbury offers a more polished downtown and closer metro access but slightly higher housing prices.

How we ranked these

We scored 42 Texas towns on cost of living (25%), property tax burden after exemptions (20%), healthcare access within 30 minutes (20%), climate and air quality (15%), walkability and transit (10%), and social infrastructure like senior centers, churches, and clubs (10%). Data came from Census ACS, BLS regional price parities, county appraisal districts, CMS hospital ratings, and EPA AirNow. Towns under 5,000 or over 250,000 residents were excluded.

We deliberately ignored magazine "best places" lists, realtor marketing copy, and single-year home price spikes, because those reward hype over livability. We also excluded state income tax, since Texas has none and it therefore cannot differentiate towns. Crime rankings were dropped because reporting standards vary wildly by jurisdiction and often penalize smaller towns unfairly.

What to look for

Between these towns, the real differentiator is property tax math, not sticker price. A $350,000 home in a town with a 2.4% effective rate plus a $100,000 homestead exemption costs far more per year than a $420,000 home at 1.6%. Run the actual numbers using the county appraisal district's rate, not the realtor's estimate, and check whether the town has a freeze for seniors 65 and older.

The mistake most buyers make is visiting in spring and buying in a weekend. Texas summers run 100-plus degrees for months, and a town that feels charming in April can feel isolating in August if the nearest hospital is 45 minutes away. Rent for a month first, test the drive to your doctors, and confirm the senior center actually has programming you would attend.

Related questions

Which Texas retirement towns have the lowest property taxes?

Effective rates vary by county and by exemptions, but towns in the Hill Country and parts of East Texas often land between 1.5% and 1.9% after homestead and senior exemptions. Compare the county appraisal district's published rate, not the rate quoted by a seller's agent. Over-65 homeowners in many Texas counties also qualify for a school tax freeze.

Do Texas retirement towns have good Medicare-accepting doctors?

Access varies sharply. Towns within 30 minutes of a regional hospital in Tyler, Waco, Amarillo, or the Rio Grande Valley tend to have broad Medicare acceptance. Smaller towns may have one clinic and long waits for specialists. Check CMS hospital ratings and call two or three primary care offices before you commit to a move.

Is Texas heat a real problem for retirees?

Yes. Most of the state sees 90-plus days above 95 degrees, and the Hill Country and West Texas have wide day-night swings. Retirees with heart or lung conditions should prioritize towns with good air conditioning infrastructure, shaded walking trails, and a hospital within 20 minutes. Coastal towns add humidity, which worsens heat stress.

What is the best Texas town for walkability on a retirement budget?

Small college towns like San Marcos, Georgetown, and Kerrville offer walkable downtowns with grocery, pharmacy, and clinics within a few blocks. Rents and home prices stay below Austin and Dallas suburbs. Sidewalk coverage and shade matter more than a walk score number, so visit in July and walk the route you would actually use.

How much does a retiree need to budget monthly in a Texas retirement town?

A single retiree in a modest rental can often live on $2,200 to $3,000 a month including utilities, groceries, and Medicare supplements, excluding a mortgage. Homeowners should add property tax, insurance, and maintenance. Insurance in hail-prone and coastal areas runs two to three times inland rates, so get a quote before you make an offer.

Are there Texas retirement towns with no state income tax on pensions?

Texas has no state income tax, so pensions, Social Security, and IRA withdrawals are not taxed at the state level. Federal rules still apply. That said, property taxes and sales taxes are higher to compensate, so the no-income-tax advantage is smaller than marketing suggests for retirees with modest incomes.

Which Texas towns have active senior centers and retiree communities?

Georgetown, New Braunfels, Waco, and Tyler have well-funded senior centers with transportation, fitness, and lunch programs. The Woodlands and Sun City communities offer structured activity calendars but carry HOA fees. Visit on a weekday morning, not a weekend, to see real attendance and programming.

What should retirees check before buying in a Texas master-planned community?

Read the HOA documents for age restrictions, fee escalation clauses, and reserve fund status. Ask for the last three years of meeting minutes. Confirm whether the community is 55-plus under federal housing rules, and check the reserve study. Underfunded reserves lead to special assessments that can hit five figures.

FAQ

What are the top retirement towns in Texas for 2026?

Our ranked list weighs cost of living, property taxes after exemptions, healthcare access, climate, walkability, and social infrastructure. Georgetown, New Braunfels, Kerrville, San Marcos, Waco, Tyler, Boerne, Fredericksburg, Amarillo, and Corpus Christi-area towns consistently score well. Rankings shift as property values and hospital capacity change, so verify current data before deciding.

Is Georgetown or New Braunfels better for retirees?

Georgetown offers a strong senior center, a walkable square, and proximity to Austin hospitals, but traffic and home prices have risen. New Braunfels has river access, lower density, and good regional healthcare, with slightly cooler winters. Both have property tax rates near the state average. Visit each in August before choosing.

How do Texas property taxes affect retirement budgets?

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes carry more weight. Effective rates often run 1.6% to 2.4% of assessed value before exemptions. Homestead exemptions and over-65 freezes reduce the burden, but school district taxes still apply. Model a 10-year tax projection, not just the current year, before buying.

Which Texas retirement towns have the best hospitals?

Tyler, Waco, Amarillo, and the Rio Grande Valley have regional referral hospitals with broad specialty coverage. Georgetown and San Marcos rely on nearby Austin systems. Kerrville and Fredericksburg have smaller hospitals with limited specialty care. Check CMS star ratings and confirm your specific specialists practice within a reasonable drive.

Do I need a car in a Texas retirement town?

In most Texas towns, yes. Outside a few walkable downtowns and college towns, transit is limited and distances are long. Even walkable towns usually require a car for medical appointments and groceries. Budget for a reliable vehicle, insurance, and fuel, and consider whether you can still drive safely at night.

What is the cheapest Texas town to retire in?

Towns in the Panhandle, West Texas, and parts of East Texas generally have the lowest housing costs and property tax rates. Amarillo, Lubbock-area towns, and smaller communities near Abilene offer low rents but fewer amenities and longer drives to specialists. Cheap is not the same as good if healthcare access is poor.

How does Texas weather vary across retirement towns?

West Texas and the Panhandle have dry heat, cool nights, and occasional snow. Central Texas is hot with moderate humidity. East Texas and the Gulf Coast are humid with hurricane risk. The Rio Grande Valley is warm year-round but humid in summer. Match climate to your health conditions, not to a brochure photo.

Are 55-plus communities in Texas a good deal?

They can be, if the HOA is well funded and the fees are stable. You trade autonomy for amenities and a built-in social network. Read the reserve study and recent minutes, confirm age restrictions, and ask about special assessments. Some communities have seen large increases in monthly dues after storm damage or deferred maintenance.

What is the biggest mistake retirees make when moving to Texas?

Buying on a spring visit without testing summer heat, traffic, and healthcare access. Many retirees also underestimate property taxes and insurance, especially in hail and coastal zones. Rent for at least a month, drive to your doctors during rush hour, and get insurance quotes before making an offer.

How do I verify a Texas retirement town's claims?

Use the Census ACS for demographics and income, county appraisal districts for tax rates, CMS for hospital ratings, and EPA AirNow for air quality. Call the senior center and ask for a program calendar. Talk to three residents who have lived there at least five years. Marketing websites rarely survive contact with primary data.

Sources

• https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
• https://www.bls.gov/regions/southwest/
• https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality-initiatives-patient-assessment-instruments/hospitalqualityinits
• https://www.epa.gov/airnow
• https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/
• https://www.texashealth.org
• https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/aging/long-term-care
• https://www.weather.gov
• https://www.hud.gov/topics/information_for_seniors

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