9 Most Popular Texas Cities Where People Are Moving and How Much They Cost

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Over the past few years, there’s been a steady increase in people moving out of California, Massachusetts, New York and Missouri and heading to other states. Where are they moving to? The top choice seems to be Texas, which claims nine of the top 10 cities with the biggest population percentage increase since April 2020, according to U.S. Census data.

If you’re considering moving to a growing Texas city, here’s what you can expect to pay for a home, groceries, healthcare, transportation and utilities. 

Also here are twenty-five Texas cities to avoid buying a home.

1. Celina, Texas

• Average Home Value: $614,735
• Groceries: 3.9% higher than the national average
• Healthcare: 1% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 6.6% cheaper than the national average
• Utilities: 0.2% higher than the national average

Celina is a northern suburb of Dallas, located a 45-minute drive from the metropolitan area. It consists of over 20 newly built neighborhoods, all with a multitude of amenities, including swimming pools, hiking and biking paths and playgrounds. It’s expanding quickly, with room for approximately 380,000 people. 

2. Fulshear, Texas

• Average Home Value: $543,249
• Groceries: 3.7% higher than the national average
• Healthcare: 2.7% less than the national average
• Transportation: 36.1% higher than the national average
• Utilities: 1% higher than the national average

Fulshear is located 40 minutes from Houston, just west of the city. Its real estate market is growing fast, with plenty of newly built townhouses, single-family homes and large estates. Fulshear has a well-rated school district with plenty of extracurricular activity options. It’s also the site of two major parks — Fulshear Simonton Park and Brazos Bend State Park — that offer many hiking and biking trails. 

3. Royse City, Texas

• Average Home Value: $342,319
• Groceries: 0.5% cheaper than the national average
• Healthcare: 2.1% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 25.5% higher than the national average
• Utilities: 3.3% higher than the national average

Located 40 minutes northeast of Dallas, Royse City is a fast-growing community with nearly 25,000 residents. It’s very family-friendly, with excellent schools and access to numerous parks and recreational facilities. Houses are more affordable than in other Dallas communities, so it’s an ideal option for young professionals and those seeking to start a family in the upcoming years.

4. Melissa, Texas

• Average Home Value: $473,832
• Groceries: 1.3% higher than the national average
• Healthcare: 1% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 7.0% cheaper than the national average
• Utilities: 3.4% higher than the national average

Melissa, Texas, is a short 45-minute drive north of Dallas. Its close proximity makes it the perfect alternative for people seeking a quiet community to live in while being close enough to commute to Dallas for work. Many of its neighborhoods are master-planned communities of newly built homes that offer plenty of amenities and access to parks and swimming pools. Melissa also boasts a great school system for families with children. 

5. Princeton, Texas

• Average Home Value: $335,908
• Groceries: 1.6% less than the national average
• Healthcare: 1% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 3.4% cheaper than the national average
• Utilities: 4.2% higher than the national average

Princeton is a small suburb of Dallas with a population of nearly 25,000. It’s located approximately 45 miles northeast of the Dallas metropolitan area. Princeton is well-suited for families with children and offers a standout school district and a strong sense of community. Many of its neighborhoods include new homes and residential developments with loads of amenities, including parks and playgrounds. Several nearby lakes are great for fishing and boating.  

6. Anna, Texas

• Average Home Value: $366,344
• Groceries: 1% cheaper than the national average
• Healthcare: 1% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 4% cheaper than the national average
• Utilities: 3.4% higher than the national average

Anna, Texas, is a suburb of Dallas located 45 miles from the downtown area. It’s a small community growing fast thanks to its numerous new residential construction developments. Families looking for a peaceful area to raise children will find Anna a good option, as it has an excellent school system with a thriving local high school. It also offers Natural Springs Park, which includes a fishing pond, lots of walking trails and greenery. 

7. Forney, Texas

• Average Home Value: $335,821
• Groceries: 0.9% less than the national average
• Healthcare: 18.7% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 27.8% higher than the national average
• Utilities: 0.1% lower than the national average

Forney is located just 25 minutes east of Dallas, making it an excellent choice for Dallas workers seeking a more affordable place to live. It has numerous new residential and commercial developments, so you can easily find a freshly built home to call your own. The school district is top rated and offers a holistic approach to education in its academics and extracurricular activities. Forney also offers plenty of shopping and dining options, so you don’t need to drive too far to find a great restaurant or store. 

8. Manor, Texas

• Average Home Value: $340,892
• Groceries: 7.7% lower than the national average
• Healthcare: 1.6% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 21.7% higher than the national average
• Utilities: 0.9% lower than the national average

Manor, Texas, is a suburb of Austin just 20 minutes from downtown. There are several master-planned neighborhoods with numerous amenities, including water parks, recreation centers and nature preserves. While the population is just over 20,000 residents, you’ll find plenty of shopping and restaurant options. The school district in Manor is excellent and offers traditional and STEM-focused high schools for students preparing for a career in science or engineering. 

9. Georgetown, Texas

• Average Home Value: $446,369
• Groceries: 4.9% cheaper than the national average
• Healthcare: 0.7% higher than the national average
• Transportation: 13.5% higher than the national average
• Utilities: 1.3% higher than the national average

Located 30 miles north of Austin, Texas, Georgetown is a small but rapidly growing community. It’s home to a historic downtown center, including a century-old courthouse and Main Street. You’ll find plenty of shopping and dining options, plus entertainment options like cinemas and bowling alleys. The Georgetown Independent School District is highly rated, and there are also private and charter schools available. 

Data sourced from Zillow and Best Places.

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