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Texas is one of the largest states in the USA, with a large population to match. That population is only going up, as more people choose to move to the Lone Star state. In fact, in 2019, more than 559,000 people moved to Texas in 2019 alone, according to US Census data. Interestingly, more than 80,000 of those people moved from California. That number only seems to be rising, as people reevaluate their lives and what they want after the pandemic.
What is it about Texas that is encouraging people to move into the state, and why is it so popular for Californians looking for a big change? Is it the way of life, the food, the lack of income tax, or the booming tech industry?
If you’re thinking about moving to another state, then Texas has a lot to offer. Texas has become a popular destination for those moving out of California. Texan residents enjoy a high quality of life, an affordable lifestyle, and a host of other benefits. Austin in particular has become very popular with young families and professionals. There are lots of reasons to consider Texas or Austin itself for your new home, and plenty of great cities to live in or explore.
Texas’s population is booming, with people moving into the state all the time, including from California. There are many reasons why Californians seem to be drawn to Texas.
The two states are more similar than you might think. Both Texas and California were once governed by Spain and Mexico, giving them both a kind of nation-state identity which is not matched by other states.
The pandemic seems to have only encouraged Californians to move away too. California has a high cost of living, whereas Texas’s living costs are much lower. Over the pandemic, many people chose to move from more urban areas for homes in the suburbs. After so long inside, people valued an extra bedroom, or a backyard more than they did before. These things come cheaper in Texas than they do in California. Those moving are often young, affluent, childless, and highly educated.
There’s also plenty of work, especially for those in the tech sector. Elon Musk himself lives in Texas now and has brought Tesla Cyberstruck and SpaceX spaceport to the state. Other tech companies including Oracle and HP Inc have relocated to Texas, as has Toyota. Texas is popular for business thanks to the business-friendly environment, ample housing, and low cost of living.
So many tech companies have set up headquarters in Austin that it’s now become known as Silicon Hills. Texas has fewer business regulations than California, so many California business owners have been attracted to make a move.
For many business owners, Texas is a more attractive option than California. Texas offers a high quality of life, a reasonable price for homes and business space, and the option to avoid paying income tax.
Texas is also attracting foreign investment, from Malaysia, Nepal, China, Europe, and Mexico.
If you’re considering a big move, Texas is an attractive option for a lot of good reasons. One of the big appeals is the house prices.
In the first quarter of 2021, Texas Realtors, the state-level association of realtors, reported that the median sales price of single-family homes in the state reached $275,000. For the same period, the California Association of Realtors reported that the median price of a single-family home was $758,990. If you’re buying a family, you’ll be able to buy a larger property in Texas.
Existing homes aren’t the only property option in Texas. The state is also an ideal destination for those looking to buy large tracts of land to build their own property on. Texas has more than $30billion worth of land for sale, ideal if you’ve always dreamed of establishing your own ranch.
The Texas economy is thriving, especially in cities like Dallas and Houston. Texas has the country’s twelfth healthiest economy, the world’s 9th largest economy, and produces 9 percent of the nation’s GDP. The success of Texas’s economy is driven by start-ups and industry leaders, with many tech industry big names and Fortune 500 brands.
Your wages will also go further in Texas. The average cost of living is 8 percent lower in Texas than the national average. Wages are good, and the cost of basics like groceries are affordable, so your paycheck will go further.
Texas is also a very safe place to live, despite the growing population. Cities like Plano, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Allen, and many of the neighborhoods in Austin have a reputation for being safe, secure, and family-friendly.
Texas is very convenient. You can buy your comfortable, affordable family home just about anywhere in the state and still be conveniently located for just about any destination you might want to visit in the country. In fact, from Dallas, you can fly to almost any point of interest in the US within four hours. If you live in Texas, the whole country can be within your reach.
There’s plenty to do in Texas for sports fans too. Whether you want to watch college football from Baylor or the Texas Longhorns, see championship-level baseball from the Houston Astros, or you just want to see the famous Dallas Cowboys or the Dallas Mavericks. Sport is taken seriously by the fans in Texas, so the sports scene is exciting all over the state.
Self-care is popular in Texas too. Many Texans love activities that encourage fitness, relaxation, and pampering. Yoga, pilates, and CrossFit are all popular. If you’re a real fitness enthusiast, you can take on the Ironman Texas event or run the Chevron Houston Marathon.
If you’re looking for somewhere diverse to live in, you might not think of Texas, but in fact, Texas is more diverse than you might think. It has a vibrant, bustling culture that attracts a diverse crowd. In the city of Houston alone, there are 145 languages spoken, and Texas as a whole is the second most diverse state in the US.
We’ve all heard about Southern hospitality and Texas is no different. Texas has a friendly culture, even in the state’s larger cities. You can expect to get a warm welcome, support, and inclusion wherever you choose to go in the state.
Like everywhere, Texas has some areas that struggle with a traffic problem. However, on most days, even in the major cities, traffic is pretty manageable. Shorter commute times, shorter-lived periods of heavy traffic, and less intense rush hours all add to a better quality of life.
Texas is a great place for families to live. Even the largest cities in Texas have plenty of options for family-friendly neighborhoods to live in, as well as the more obvious option of the suburbs. There are lots of activities across Texas that are aimed at families, including museums, events, parks, and outdoor areas.
Austin is one of the most popular places to live in Texas. It has a booming job market, a great restaurant scene, and a delight in a fun culture that attracts young professionals and students alike. Austin has more 20-somethings as residents than most cities, and many of them work in the tech sector.
Dallas also has a lot of culture to offer, alongside plenty of city attractions. Dallas has a rich history, a lively arts scene, a thriving sports scene, great schools, and a reputation for great Tex-Mex food. It’s also a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation, making it a great city for students, young professionals, or families.
If you’re looking for classic cowboy charm, you could move to Fort Worth. The city is known for Texan charm and rodeos. It also has world-class food, an affordable housing market, and some fantastic schools. Fort Worth attracts students, professionals, and families, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
If you want to be near Dallas, but don’t fancy living in the city itself, you can try the suburb of Frisco. Frisco is ideally located for those who work in Dallas or Fort Worth. It is more expensive to live in Frisco than in some other towns in Texas, but it does have advantages to make up for the higher costs of living. Frisco has a very low crime rate, lots of amenities, and great schools. A few years ago, Money magazine named Frisco as one of the top 100 places to live in America. NerdWallet also named Frisco as the fourth best place to live for first-time buyers.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States. Despite the size, Houston has a relatively low cost of living, and a much more affordable housing market than many other large cities. Forbes listed Houston as one of the best places for business and careers, thanks to the stable market and a diverse economy. Houston is very popular for both families and young professionals.
Austin is a popular city in Texas to live in for lots of different reasons. Perhaps you’re attracted to the wonderful weather, the reputation the locals have for being warm and friendly, the booming job market, and the unique culture. Austin is also known as the live music capital of the world, which is another good reason to relocate here.
The weather is a big appeal for a lot of people. In winter, the average temperatures stay around 50°F. It can reach up into the 60s and 70s and can drop into the 40s overnight. It never gets too cold, so you’re unlikely to need your snow boots and your big boat very often. Most years, Austin only experiences one snow flurry where the temperatures fall below freezing. In the Spring, the weather is warm and mild. Temperatures average around 67°F, with highs in the 80s.
The summer heat can be brutal if you’re not used to it, with lows of 70°F and highs reaching almost 100°F. You’ll need to invest in air conditioning. Temperatures can reach at least 80°F seven months out of the year, so it’s well worth the investment to make your home life comfortable! In the fall, Austin’s average temperatures range between 50°F and 70°F. The highest temperatures are warm, but they don’t compare to the highs of the summer.
Austin has a plethora of cutting-edge restaurants and bars, with a thriving music scene. When you combine this with the climate, the tech communities, and the urban nature, you can see why people want to live here.
Austin now has a reputation of being a tech hub. It’s now nicknamed the ‘Silicon Hills’, thanks to the large number of tech companies who have set up shop in the area. The tech companies based in Austin make up the majority of tech-related revenue in the entire state of Texas.
Tech companies that have offices in the Austin area include:
Pay is good in Austin too, which makes it appealing. The average weekly wage in Austin is around $1,116, which compares well against the average wage in the rest of the US of $1,021. Austin does have a reputation for being a city that is expensive to live in, but in fact, the area has a relatively low cost of living and great employment opportunities.
The boom in Auston’s population seems to be driven mostly by migrating households that are attracted by the job market and the high quality of life. Austin has lots of employment opportunities in more than just tech. Other industries that have a healthy job market include health care, education, entertainment, business, and government.
If you’re looking to continue your own studies, or you have children who are still in school, then Austin’s reputation for good schools might draw you there. Austin has 29 public school districts, 27 charter school districts, and over 100 private schools. It’s also home to the University of Texas, and 26 other universities and colleges.
The locals in Austin really like their food, drink, live music, and outdoor pursuits. Any proud Austin-dweller knows where to find the best places to eat, and the best bars, concert venues, and hiking trails. If you’re looking for fitness, you can swim at the Barton Springs Pool or run trails on the Greenbelt. Try local brews, and eat amazing local cuisine all over the city.
It goes without saying that another appeal of living in Texas is the taxes. However, if you’re used to California taxes, the slightly different way that taxes work in Texas might seem confusing. Before you start planning the big move, make sure you do your research first so you understand exactly what you will have to pay. Many people are attracted to Texas, thinking the taxes are going to be very favorable to them, but forget to take into account the higher property taxes. Do the math first. Will it actually be cheaper for you to live and work in Texas?
Being a virtual residence of South Dakota can be a smart financial choice. You can avoid state income and save on other taxes every year. If you live overseas, travel a lot, or live in a state with higher taxes, you could benefit from a South Dakota address.
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Texas forbids personal income taxes in the state’s constitution. Infrastructure and services still need to be paid for, so Texas relies on income from sales and excise taxes to cover these costs.
Texas has a 6.25 percent state sales and use tax on all retail sales, leases, and rentals of most goods and taxable services. Cities, counties, special purpose districts, and transit authorities can also impose up to 2 percent sales and use tax for a maximum combined rate of 8.25 percent.
Texas has high property tax rates, to cover the costs that would usually be paid for by income tax. Texas has the seventh-highest property tax, with an average of 1.69%. The national average is only 1.07%.
In Texas, title and license fees on a used car will usually cost between $90 and $95. Sales tax is 6.25%. If the car is bought in a private sale, the car could be taxed on the purchase price or Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) of the car, depending on which is higher. The SPV will be worked out based on similar sales in the area.
If you’re moving in order to get at lower tax rates, then you’re probably considering Florida too, which also has a reputation for low taxes. Before you decide, do the math to see which will be most affordable for you, and weigh up the costs against the other advantages to the two states. Which will offer you the best way of life?
Florida is known for its low taxes, which is part of what makes the state so popular to live in. In fact, Florida has the fourth-lowest overall tax burden in the country. Texas comes in at number 13th on the list. A study by Wallethub looked at the combined burden of state and local, excuse, individual income, property, and sales taxes to work out the overall tax burden.
Florida’s overall tax burden is lower, but both states are high on the list of states with low tax rates. Texas is still a great choice. Both states shine, and the lower tax rates are one of the big reasons that so many people are considering a move to Texas or Florida.
Whether you’re moving to lower your tax bill, live out your cowboy dreams, pursue a career with a tech giant, or just to make a better life for your family, then Texas can be an excellent choice. Forget what you think you know about the Lone Star state and visit the state for yourself and see what it has to offer. After a warm southern welcome, some world-class cuisine, some local beers, and a taste of the vibrant local culture, you’ll understand why those 559,000 people wanted to relocate to Texas in 2019. Perhaps 2021 will be the year you join them.
Let Forward Mail help you with some of the practical parts, such as forwarding your mail from your previous address or setting up residency for tax purposes.
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