15 Texas Cities To Live In If You’re Living On Minimum Wage

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The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but in many states it’s higher. Unfortunately, Texas is not one of those states. The minimum wage there is $7.25 per hour. Though The Lone Star State is cheaper than many other states (the cost of living there is 7% lower than the national average, according to RentCafe), it can still be hard for people on the lower end of the earnings spectrum. 

The people who may financially struggle the most in Texas (like every other state) are those living on minimum wage. Housing costs can be especially hurtful, particularly if you’re living in or very close to a major city like Dallas or Austin. 

In an exclusive new study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across Texas to find the 15 best places to live if you make minimum wage.

15. Crosbyton 

• Population: 1,657   
• Household median income: $47,083 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,698 
• Livability: 63

14. Freer

• Population: 2,674    
• Household median income: $64,438 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,670 
• Livability: 66 

13. Colorado City

• Population: 3,952 
• Household median income: $46,961 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,543 
• Livability: 68

12. Childress 

• Population: 5,786 
• Household median income: $55,500 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,483 
• Livability: 67

11. Lamesa

• Population: 8,571 
• Household median income: $39,434 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,427 
• Livability: 65

10. Lockney

• Population: 1,720 
• Household median income: $52,500 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,342 
• Livability: 71

9. Crystal City

• Population: 2,201 
• Household median income: $46,439 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,237 
• Livability: 62

8. Wellington

• Population: 6,332 
• Household median income: $49,211 
• Total cost of living annually: $27,319 
• Livability: 62

7. Morton

• Population: 1,572 
• Household median income: $37,604 
• Total cost of living annually: $26,982 
• Livability: 68

6. Munday

• Population: 1,319 
• Household median income: $56,250 
• Total cost of living annually: $26,619 
• Livability: 65

5. Floydada

• Population: 2,000 
• Household median income: $39,333 
• Total cost of living annually: $26,399 
• Livability: 74

4. Shamrock

• Population: 2,670 
• Household median income: $43,938 
• Total cost of living annually: $26,165 
• Livability: 66

3. Rotan

• Population: 1,270 
• Household median income: $39,861  
• Total cost of living annually: $25,840 
• Livability: 65

2. Falfurrias

• Population: 4,348 
• Household median income: $31,275 
• Total cost of living annually: $25,800 
• Livability: 73

1. Memphis

• Population: 2,130 
• Household median income: $43,901 
• Total cost of living annually: $25,732 
• Livability: 65

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Texas to find the best cities to live in if you are living on minimum wage. First, GOBankingRates found cities in Texas as sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each city, a number of factors were found including; total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. 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, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for September 2024. Using the average single-family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent 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 livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location. The cities were sorted to find the most and least expensive cost of living cities, representing the best and worst places to live if you are living on minimum wage. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Oct. 25, 2024.

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