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Frugal Retirees: Steer Clear of These 13 Ultra-Expensive Texas Cities

March 25, 2025

5 min Read

Written by Nicole Spector

Edited by Molly Sullivan

New Downtown Frisco Texas from the air - Image.

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In 2024, Texas was among the states that saw that saw the largest influx of retirees. Research from SmartAsset found that three cities in the Lone Star State (Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio) saw a combined 10,896 folks ages 65 and older move in. Each of these cities boasts lower costs of living than the national average — likely a factor in their appeal to retirees.

Though the places that saw the biggest inrush of seniors in 2024 are generally considered affordable, there are quite a few places in Texas where living on a fixed income is challenging, if not impossible. They’re just too expensive. A new study by GOBankingRates found the top 13 Texas cities that frugal retirees should steer clear of due to steep prices. These metros are ranked to show the highest total cost of living along with the highest expenditure costs.

13. Celina

Average single-family home value: $614,603
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,551
Average monthly expenditures cost: $2,056
Total cost of living monthly: $5,607
Total cost of living annually: $67,285

12. Fairview

Average single-family home value: $659,160
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,808
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,830
Total cost of living monthly: $5,639
Total cost of living annually: $67,664

11. Coppell

Average single-family home value: $625,108
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,612
Average monthly expenditures cost: $2,108
Total cost of living monthly: $5,719
Total cost of living annually: $68,630

10. Fair Oaks Ranch

Average single-family home value: $697,040
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,027
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,743
Total cost of living monthly: $5,770
Total cost of living annually: $69,244

9. Trophy Club

Average single-family home value: $690,989
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,992
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,823
Total cost of living monthly: $5,816
Total cost of living annually: $69,787

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8. Frisco

Average single-family home value: $678,435
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,920
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,941
Total cost of living monthly: $5,861
Total cost of living annually: $70,326

7. Heath

Average single-family home value: $712,176
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,115
Average monthly expenditures cost: $2,008
Total cost of living monthly: $6,123
Total cost of living annually: $73,478

6. Prosper

Average single-family home value: $826,429
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,775
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,736
Total cost of living monthly: $6,511
Total cost of living annually: $78,132

5. Lakeway

Average single-family home value: $799,858
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,621
Average monthly expenditures cost: $2,077
Total cost of living monthly: $6,698
Total cost of living annually: $80,380

4. Colleyville

Average single-family home value: $897,602
Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,186
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,697
Total cost of living monthly: $6,883
Total cost of living annually: $82,598

3. Bellaire

Average single-family home value: $1,110,852
Average monthly mortgage cost: $6,418
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,925
Total cost of living monthly: $8,343
Total cost of living annually: $100,116

2. Southlake

Average single-family home value: $1,239,067
Average monthly mortgage cost: $7,159
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,805
Total cost of living monthly: $8,964
Total cost of living annually: $107,566

1. University Park

Average single-family home value: $2,371,528
Average monthly mortgage cost: $13,702
Average monthly expenditures cost: $1,992
Total cost of living monthly: $15,694
Total cost of living annually: $188,322

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed U.S. cities in Texas to find the places that frugal retirees should avoid. Using the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey cities in Texas were identified along with the total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income. With the cities identified the cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous cost of living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs for retired households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location as supplemental information. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for February 2025. Using the average single-family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent (March 13, 2025) national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living can be calculated. The cities were sorted to show the highest total cost of living as well as the highest expenditure costs, showcasing the places frugal retirees should avoid. All data was collected on and is up to date as of March 19, 2025.

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