Texas
Texas ranks #35 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 46.8/100 and a C grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (76/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (5/100).
How Does Texas Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Texas
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | Frisco | A+ | 65.1 | 225,009 | $141,129 | 91 | 103.3 |
| 123 | McKinney | A | 62.7 | 213,504 | $116,654 | 106.7 | 103.3 |
| 376 | Plano | B | 56.0 | 288,228 | $108,594 | 162.5 | 103.3 |
| 496 | Denton | B | 53.1 | 158,361 | $73,051 | 268.7 | 103.3 |
| 607 | Austin | C+ | 50.7 | 979,700 | $91,501 | 514.9 | 97.6 |
| 614 | Irving | C+ | 50.5 | 254,392 | $79,335 | 297.4 | 103.3 |
| 637 | Grand Prairie | C+ | 50.0 | 202,092 | $72,106 | 193.2 | 103.3 |
| 649 | Garland | C+ | 49.7 | 243,536 | $71,729 | 230.4 | 103.3 |
| 685 | Fort Worth | C | 48.7 | 976,932 | $77,082 | 497.7 | 103.3 |
| 779 | Arlington | C | 45.9 | 398,423 | $69,208 | 497 | 103.3 |
| 799 | El Paso | C | 45.4 | 678,945 | $57,317 | 315.4 | 90.2 |
| 832 | Laredo | D | 44.3 | 252,974 | $60,720 | 433.4 | 87.8 |
| 865 | Amarillo | D | 42.8 | 203,042 | $58,897 | 726.9 | 90.8 |
| 873 | Dallas | D | 42.7 | 1,302,859 | $70,121 | 690.6 | 103.3 |
| 874 | Lubbock | D | 42.7 | 266,878 | $54,451 | 857.4 | 90.9 |
| 884 | San Antonio | D | 42.4 | 1,495,312 | $62,322 | 699.9 | 93.7 |
| 906 | Killeen | D | 41.4 | 159,635 | $60,067 | 482.2 | 91.8 |
| 918 | Brownsville | D | 40.9 | 190,166 | $49,920 | 401.4 | 85.2 |
| 940 | Corpus Christi | D | 39.7 | 316,603 | $65,138 | 874.9 | 91.3 |
| 945 | Houston | D | 39.4 | 2,311,461 | $62,637 | 1108 | 100.2 |
Best Cities in Texas for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frisco | 60.8 | 32.7 | 91.1 | 59.9 |
| 2 | McKinney | 60.5 | 32.7 | 93.4 | 65.1 |
| 3 | Plano | 56.1 | 32.7 | 84.4 | 65.5 |
| 4 | Denton | 54.6 | 32.7 | 73.6 | 72.6 |
| 5 | Grand Prairie | 53.6 | 32.7 | 82.8 | 73.2 |
More South States
Texas Rankings Overview
Texas earns an overall grade of C with a composite score of 46.8 out of 100, ranking #35 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (76/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (5/100).
Economy & Employment in Texas
With an unemployment rate of 4.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Texas performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $73,035, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Texas
Texas's violent crime rate of 401 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Texas
Texas ranks #41 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #34 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Texas is 77 years, and the high school graduation rate is 90%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Texas
Texas's total tax burden is 7.77% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. Texas has no state income tax. The effective property tax rate is 1.63% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.2%.
Housing & Affordability in Texas
The median home price in Texas is $338,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 97 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
Environment in Texas
Texas has a median air quality index of 43 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 37% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, an above-average share. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 24 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Texas
Texas's population growth rate is +1.7% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +2.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 94.6% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Texas
The top-ranked cities in Texas based on our composite scoring are Frisco, McKinney, and Plano. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Texas's overall ranking?
Texas ranks #35 out of 50 states with a composite score of 46.8/100 and a grade of C.
Is Texas a good place to live?
Texas scores 46.8/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Texas?
The violent crime rate in Texas is 401 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Texas's economy compare?
Texas's median household income is $73,035 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Texas?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Texas are Frisco, McKinney, and Plano.
How does Texas rank for families?
Texas ranks #37 of 50 states for families with a score of 46.2/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Texas rank for retirees?
Texas ranks #35 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 54.1/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Texas rank for remote workers?
Texas ranks #24 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 55.7/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.