Cheapest Places to Live in Texas (2026)

Looking for the most affordable cities in Texas? We ranked 55 Texas cities by median home value. The cheapest is San Diego (~$72,000); the Texas median is $264,000.

Most affordable cities in Texas

Ranked by median home value, lowest first:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1San Diego$72,000$105
2Lubbock$160,500$112
3Beaumont$164,000$120
4Amarillo$175,000$135
5Marshall$187,000$132
6Wichita Falls$191,000$117
7Temple$191,000$149
8Brownsville$191,000$162
9Corpus Christi$194,000$156
10Laredo$196,000$156

Most expensive cities in Texas

The priciest Texas markets by median home value:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1Frisco$649,500$232
2Austin$558,000$308
3Plano$503,500$217
4McKinney$479,500$210
5Weatherford$464,000$237
6Richardson$456,000$214
7Georgetown$442,000$208
8Sugar Land$434,000$176
9Carrollton$400,000$217
10Round Rock$398,000$206

How we rank Texas cities

Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.

Explore all Texas home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.

Texas affordability: FAQ

What is the cheapest place to live in Texas? +
Based on median home value, San Diego is among the most affordable cities in Texas, with a typical home around $72,000 — well below the Texas median of $264,000.
What is the most expensive city in Texas? +
By median home value, Frisco is among the priciest in Texas, with a typical home around $649,500.
Is Texas an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Texas is about $264,000 (10% more affordable than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $72,000 to $649,500.