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Texas

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Texas

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Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 67
Population29,640,343
Foreign Born10.0%
Population Density113people per mi²
Median Age35.5 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2000, this state has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

106/100

6% above national average

A
Affordability Ratio

70%

The Real Cost of Living in Texas

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $40k$76k
Comfortable $74k$109k
Luxury $138k+$214k+
Elite (Top 5%) $176k+$273k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
A
Great

A high-performing local economy. Incomes, home values, and employment meaningfully outpace national averages.

Median HHI
$76k+4.5%
2% above US avg
Avg Net Worth
$564k
14% below US avg
WFH
12.8%
10% below US avg
Homeownership
62.6%
4% below US avg
Median Home
$260k
8% below US avg
Avg HH Debt
$22k
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate
13.8%
20% above US avg
Public Assistance
12.3%
5% above US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
38% above US avg
Median Rent
$1k
15% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C
Moderate

Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
21.2
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−20.6%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−23.9%
Homicide
0.05 / 1k Residents29% below US avg
Robbery
0.52 / 1k Residents22% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
2.39 / 1k Residents11% below US avg

Property Crime

5yr−17.4%
Burglary
2.45 / 1k Residents9% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
12.80 / 1k Residents9% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
2.48 / 1k Residents12% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+4Leans Conservative
State Legislature of Texas
Texas Senate12D · 18R
Texas House62D · 88R
Presidential Voting Trends for Texas
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
A-
High Autonomy

Strong independent fundamentals that actively favor personal liberty and low regulation.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B
Fair8.6% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A+
GreatNo notice required

Energy independence: Net exporter (220% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
D+
RestrictedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season270 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall26.0"statewide average
Elevation2,159 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Texas

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-15T13:53:47.000Z

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