Texas, the Lone Star State, is known for its cattle, its oil, its Tex-Mex cuisine — and its low cost of living. Sure, residents put up with a lot of ultra-hot weather, but they also pay no state income tax and can spread out due to Texas’ glut of buildable land. So, residents are able to rent or buy homes priced, in many Texan cities, at lower levels than the national average.
Consider that cities like Brownsville, Abilene and Wichita Falls have multiple homes on the market for less than $200,000 and home rentals less than $900 — prices unheard of in the Northeast and the West Coast. Then there are the small cities and towns — often renowned for their beauty and healthy community life — where median prices are even lower, at less than $100,000. This is the least expensive county to buy a home in every state.
Accordingly, it’s no surprise that Texas has attracted a lot of new folks this year, and that has driven up prices. Not only are people flocking to the state, but their ability to pay more is a big factor. According to the real estate brokerage Redfin, out-of-state buyers are typically shelling out more for a home than, say, a long-time resident of Austin. Markets are heating up statewide — home prices are surging in Hutto, Texas.
The Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University adds that the hot markets of Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth have driven the average number of days on market down as well, with houses sitting a record low 30 days on the market in June.
Still, particularly in small metropolitan areas and towns in Texas, prices are far lower than in Austin or Dallas even if there has been a considerable drop in active listings this year because of COVID-19.
To identify the 50 most affordable housing markets in Texas, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, ranking only the 404 census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 5,000 residents in Texas. (All data came from the ACS. We calculated the percent of population change.) The housing markets on this list range in median price from about $78,000 to as low as $47,000.
So grab your guitar, your Willie Nelson tunes and your Stetson, and take a look at the affordable home-buying markets listed below as you start your Lone Star search.
Click here to see the most affordable housing markets in Texas
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
50. Uvalde, Texas
> Median home value: $77,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 64.9% — 54th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $41,713 — 327th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -0.4% — 320th highest in Texas
> Population: 16,154 — 178th highest in Texas
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
49. Alice, Texas
> Median home value: $77,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.1% — 50th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $36,059 — 366th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 363rd highest in Texas
> Population: 19,007 — 153rd highest in Texas
24/7 Wall St.
48. Crockett, Texas
> Median home value: $77,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 64.7% — 55th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $26,856 — 399th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.6% — 368th highest in Texas
> Population: 6,447 — 337th highest in Texas
47. Beeville, Texas
> Median home value: $77,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 64.0% — 58th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $33,995 — 377th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.1% — 362nd highest in Texas
> Population: 12,912 — 210th highest in Texas
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Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
46. Borger, Texas
> Median home value: $76,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.7% — 46th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $46,183 — 278th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.6% — 370th highest in Texas
> Population: 12,698 — 217th highest in Texas
45. Pampa, Texas
> Median home value: $76,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 60.4% — 76th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $46,432 — 277th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -3.7% — 384th highest in Texas
> Population: 17,538 — 163rd highest in Texas
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Source: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
44. Eidson Road, Texas
> Median home value: $76,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 68.7% — 41st highest in Texas
> Median household income: $32,175 — 383rd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.7% — 371st highest in Texas
> Population: 9,714 — 262nd highest in Texas
24/7 Wall St.
Source: HIM Nguyen, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
43. Willis, Texas
> Median home value: $75,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.4% — 48th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $41,912 — 323rd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +7.2% — 150th highest in Texas
> Population: 6,566 — 329th highest in Texas
Source: krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images
42. Brownfield, Texas
> Median home value: $75,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 62.4% — 66th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $39,912 — 339th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.7% — 355th highest in Texas
> Population: 9,525 — 263rd highest in Texas
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Source: Hot Furnace / Wikimedia Commons
41. Bellmead, Texas
> Median home value: $74,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.5% — 23rd highest in Texas
> Median household income: $41,696 — 328th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +5.3% — 173rd highest in Texas
> Population: 10,556 — 249th highest in Texas
40. Slaton, Texas
> Median home value: $74,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.7% — 47th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $36,295 — 362nd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 364th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,960 — 354th highest in Texas
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Source: Danny20111993 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
39. Alton, Texas
> Median home value: $73,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.6% — 29th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $32,495 — 382nd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +12.5% — 81st highest in Texas
> Population: 16,976 — 170th highest in Texas
Source: ALAN SCHMIERER / Wikimedia Commons
38. Roma, Texas
> Median home value: $73,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.0% — 18th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $23,763 — 402nd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +13.5% — 69th highest in Texas
> Population: 11,397 — 233rd highest in Texas
37. Mexia, Texas
> Median home value: $73,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 68.8% — 40th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $36,565 — 359th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 342nd highest in Texas
> Population: 7,356 — 314th highest in Texas
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Source: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
36. Rio Grande City, Texas
> Median home value: $72,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.8% — 45th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $33,084 — 379th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +1.8% — 264th highest in Texas
> Population: 14,408 — 197th highest in Texas
Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
35. Alamo, Texas
> Median home value: $72,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.2% — 49th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $39,858 — 341st highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +3.5% — 224th highest in Texas
> Population: 19,613 — 148th highest in Texas
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Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
34. Center, Texas
> Median home value: $71,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.3% — 31st highest in Texas
> Median household income: $34,507 — 376th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -0.2% — 313th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,250 — 390th highest in Texas
Source: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
33. Post, Texas
> Median home value: $71,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.7% — 38th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $46,475 — 275th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 322nd highest in Texas
> Population: 5,193 — 393rd highest in Texas
Source: Renelibrary / Wikimedia Commons
32. Pearsall, Texas
> Median home value: $71,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 74.1% — 19th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $45,865 — 284th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +8.1% — 134th highest in Texas
> Population: 10,436 — 251st highest in Texas
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Source: Valleyite12, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
31. Mercedes, Texas
> Median home value: $71,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.3% — 15th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $34,677 — 375th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +0.8% — 287th highest in Texas
> Population: 16,564 — 172nd highest in Texas
30. Commerce, Texas
> Median home value: $70,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.3% — 26th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $28,135 — 397th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +8.6% — 123rd highest in Texas
> Population: 9,293 — 266th highest in Texas
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29. Lamesa, Texas
> Median home value: $70,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 67.7% — 44th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $36,904 — 358th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 343rd highest in Texas
> Population: 9,221 — 268th highest in Texas
Source: Ppntori / Wikimedia Commons
28. Homestead Meadows South, Texas
> Median home value: $70,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.2% — 12th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $38,641 — 348th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +22.0% — 47th highest in Texas
> Population: 7,089 — 322nd highest in Texas
Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
27. Olivarez, Texas
> Median home value: $69,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.2% — 11th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $-666,666,666 — 404th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +47.9% — 10th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,621 — 369th highest in Texas
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Source: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
26. Hutchins, Texas
> Median home value: $68,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.5% — 17th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $36,087 — 365th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +0.9% — 286th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,718 — 366th highest in Texas
25. Pecos, Texas
> Median home value: $68,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.7% — 28th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $60,582 — 159th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +11.4% — 93rd highest in Texas
> Population: 10,108 — 256th highest in Texas
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Source: Anthony Acosta, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
24. Doffing, Texas
> Median home value: $68,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.6% — 13th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $28,162 — 396th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -8.0% — 396th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,176 — 394th highest in Texas
23. Sweetwater, Texas
> Median home value: $68,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.4% — 30th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $41,549 — 329th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.6% — 351st highest in Texas
> Population: 10,626 — 247th highest in Texas
Source: Mplfan, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
22. Palmview South, Texas
> Median home value: $67,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.4% — 24th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $38,438 — 352nd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +2.1% — 253rd highest in Texas
> Population: 5,589 — 372nd highest in Texas
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Source: Richard McMillin / iStock via Getty Images
21. Muleshoe, Texas
> Median home value: $67,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.9% — 27th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $51,727 — 228th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +9.4% — 110th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,798 — 362nd highest in Texas
Source: Courtesy of Google Maps 2011
20. La Homa, Texas
> Median home value: $66,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.7% — 20th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $31,563 — 387th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -5.0% — 390th highest in Texas
> Population: 12,729 — 215th highest in Texas
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
19. Breckenridge, Texas
> Median home value: $66,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.6% — 21st highest in Texas
> Median household income: $45,701 — 288th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -2.5% — 366th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,457 — 380th highest in Texas
Source: Jaedza at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
18. Cameron Park, Texas
> Median home value: $66,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 90.2% — 2nd highest in Texas
> Median household income: $31,583 — 386th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -10.5% — 397th highest in Texas
> Population: 6,241 — 346th highest in Texas
17. Port Arthur, Texas
> Median home value: $65,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.8% — 37th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $36,557 — 360th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +0.4% — 296th highest in Texas
> Population: 55,109 — 65th highest in Texas
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Source: AustinMirage / iStock via Getty Images
16. Littlefield, Texas
> Median home value: $65,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.0% — 36th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $42,156 — 319th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -4.9% — 388th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,956 — 355th highest in Texas
Source: TexasPixelPro / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Vernon, Texas
> Median home value: $64,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.0% — 33rd highest in Texas
> Median household income: $42,533 — 315th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 383rd highest in Texas
> Population: 10,509 — 250th highest in Texas
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Source: jayphagan / Flickr
14. Robstown, Texas
> Median home value: $64,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.5% — 35th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $35,504 — 371st highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.9% — 359th highest in Texas
> Population: 11,400 — 232nd highest in Texas
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
13. Carrizo Springs, Texas
> Median home value: $63,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.2% — 32nd highest in Texas
> Median household income: $30,158 — 389th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 376th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,554 — 374th highest in Texas
Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
12. Fabens, Texas
> Median home value: $60,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.0% — 5th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $28,397 — 395th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -26.9% — 403rd highest in Texas
> Population: 5,736 — 364th highest in Texas
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11. Kermit, Texas
> Median home value: $59,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.5% — 22nd highest in Texas
> Median household income: $54,267 — 205th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +7.4% — 145th highest in Texas
> Population: 6,503 — 332nd highest in Texas
Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
10. Donna, Texas
> Median home value: $59,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.3% — 4th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $29,724 — 392nd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +0.7% — 291st highest in Texas
> Population: 16,409 — 177th highest in Texas
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Source: Theunderratedtaco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
9. Progreso, Texas
> Median home value: $57,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.0% — 9th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $52,500 — 215th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +2.0% — 255th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,905 — 358th highest in Texas
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
8. San Benito, Texas
> Median home value: $57,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.7% — 16th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $27,460 — 398th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 321st highest in Texas
> Population: 24,371 — 130th highest in Texas
Source: Jaedza at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
7. La Feria, Texas
> Median home value: $55,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.6% — 14th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $32,011 — 384th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -0.8% — 328th highest in Texas
> Population: 7,267 — 317th highest in Texas
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Source: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
6. Elsa, Texas
> Median home value: $53,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.6% — 3rd highest in Texas
> Median household income: $35,994 — 367th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: +12.1% — 85th highest in Texas
> Population: 7,225 — 319th highest in Texas
Source: Joel Pacheco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
5. Mila Doce, Texas
> Median home value: $50,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 94.4% — highest in Texas
> Median household income: $24,583 — 400th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -4.5% — 385th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,947 — 357th highest in Texas
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Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
4. Sinton, Texas
> Median home value: $50,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.7% — 10th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $30,048 — 390th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 382nd highest in Texas
> Population: 5,504 — 376th highest in Texas
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/denisemattox/
3. Marlin, Texas
> Median home value: $49,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.7% — 8th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $21,667 — 403rd highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 380th highest in Texas
> Population: 5,607 — 370th highest in Texas
2. Crystal City, Texas
> Median home value: $48,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 86.2% — 7th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $34,797 — 374th highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 334th highest in Texas
> Population: 7,310 — 316th highest in Texas
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Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
1. Raymondville, Texas
> Median home value: $47,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.0% — 6th highest in Texas
> Median household income: $29,750 — 391st highest in Texas
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 349th highest in Texas
> Population: 11,021 — 240th highest in Texas
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