Best Places to Retire in Texas

With nearly 269,000 square miles of land, Texas is the largest of the lower 48 states, and it continues to attract not only vacationers, but also new residents. In fact, for the sixth time in eight years, the Lone Star State is the number one growth state in the country.

Texas offers a range of environments, from desert to coastline and big cities to small towns. The relatively reasonable cost of living, mild winter climate, excellent health care, and cultural opportunities are some of its major draws. In addition, there’s no state income tax, and while home prices vary, there are plenty of affordable cities and towns. And in some cases, property taxes can be deferred for residents over the age of 65.

Using a variety of criteria, several outlets have analyzed Texas’ cities to come up with their list of the best places to retire in the state.

HomeSnacks, for example, considered a range of factors for their 2024 list of best places to retire in Texas: low crime, low cost of living as measured by rent, things to do, weather, distance to the closest international airport, and a high median age.

Home Bay, meanwhile, compared popular Texas cities based on criteria like percent of the population over age 60, the number of four- and five-star Medicare facilities within a 50-mile radius, the median annual property tax rate, walkability, the Yelp rating of retirement homes, recreational activities, weather, single-family home values, and costs of internet, utilities, and public transit.

Empower recently published a list of the best places to retire in Texas based on U.S. census data, taking into account cost of living, crime rate, health care, median home value, and percent of population over age 65.

Based on these lists, research, and input from local experts, we’ve come up with our eight best places to retire in Texas.

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Kerrville

“Kerrville has everything you need, and it’s one of the prettiest parts of Texas,” says Mark Keller of The Reno Realty Group, who has lived in the city for 30 years. “Summers are hot, but winters are mild, and we have four seasons.” Located in central Texas, Kerrville is about 65 miles from San Antonio.

Empower comments on Kerrville’s low crime rate and cost of living, as well as its amenities. The city is known for its parks, art galleries, natural beauty, and The Museum of Western Art. The Guadalupe River runs through Kerrville, and residents enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking. Keller and HomeSnacks both estimate the median home price to be about $350,000.

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Fredericksburg

Located about 80 miles west of Austin in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg was founded in the mid-1800s by German immigrants. Its walkable Main Street boasts antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, museums, farmers markets, and 19th-century architecture. The city is also home to wineries, farms, orchards, and springtime wildflowers, all of which make it a lovely place to live.

Liza Smith of Absolute Charm Real Estate Group tells Travel + Leisure, “We are very lucky here in Fredericksburg to have big-city amenities and small-town charm. With our many events during the year, we attract visitors who enjoy fine dining, wineries, golf courses, and our friendly atmosphere.” Smith adds, “We have a range of places to live and an excellent hospital. New homes start in the $270s, and we have luxury development, Boot Ranch, with homes into the multimillions.”

Fredericksburg receives an overall rating of B from Niche, with median home value of about $416,700, while Home Snacks states median home value as $540,684. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average according to BestPlaces, and healthcare quality and availability is excellent.