Retirement 2024: These Are the 10 Worst Places To Retire in Texas

If retirement is what you have your sights set on, listen up, partner: the great state of Texas has a vast amount of territory for you to spend your golden years. But not everywhere in the Lone Star State is a viable option for retirees: crime, healthcare and economic factors all play into what makes a suitable place to live, let alone retire.

“Retirees in Texas should carefully consider factors such as crime rates, cost of living, healthcare access and the availability of amenities when choosing a place to retire,” said Colten Claus, an associate broker with 8z Real Estate.

“While Texas offers many attractive retirement destinations, the above locations may pose challenges that make them less ideal for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement,” he said.

Here are the 10 worst places to retire in Texas in 2024:

The biggest strikes against Houston come in the form of high crime rates and an expensive cost of living, which might make retirees not feel quite so welcome in H-Town.

“Houston has one of the highest crime rates in Texas, particularly in certain neighborhoods. Retirees often prioritize safety and high crime can be a significant deterrent,” Claus said.

“While not the most expensive city, Houston’s cost of living, including property taxes and healthcare costs, can be relatively high for retirees on a fixed income,” he said.

Claus also said in regards to the traffic and air quality: “Houston is known for its heavy traffic and poor air quality, which can affect the overall quality of life.”

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the urban sprawl that Dallas is infamous for. “The city’s expansive nature can make it difficult to navigate, especially for those looking for a more compact, walkable community,” Claus said.

High cost of living was next on the list, as Claus pointed out that “Dallas has a high cost of living, especially in desirable neighborhoods. Housing prices, property taxes and healthcare costs can strain retirement budgets.”

Plus, Dallas comes close to making Houston with high crime rate areas, making it less appealing for retirees looking for a safe environment, in Claus’ opinion.

If you can’t stand the heat and the humidity, then San Antonio is not the place for you to call home in your retiring years.

“The extreme heat and humidity in San Antonio can be challenging for retirees, especially those with health issues,” Claus said, describing how the city’s climate is only made worse by the number of people on the road. “Traffic congestion is a growing problem, affecting the quality of life for retirees.”

And to top it all off, healthcare is subpar compared to other places. “While improving, the healthcare system in San Antonio has been noted for not being as robust as other major Texas cities,” Claus said.

Not far from Dallas is Fort Worth, but retirees might want to steer clear of it as a place to call home in Texas.

“Fort Worth, often considered in conjunction with Dallas, also has higher-than-average crime rates and a significant cost of living,” said Brandi Simon, the founder of Texas Home Buying Pros in Dallas.

“Public transportation options are limited, making it challenging for retirees who may no longer wish to drive,” Simon said. “This lack of convenient transportation can affect their ability to engage in social activities and access necessary services.”

“El Paso is relatively isolated from other major Texas cities,” Claus said, making it less appealing for retirees who want to be near family or have access to a wider range of amenities.

The city also faces economic challenges with a higher poverty rate, impacting the overall quality of life and availability of services, according to Simon.

“While healthcare access is improving, it remains limited compared to other regions in Texas,” Simon said. 

“Higher-than-average crime rates in certain areas of Waco can be a deterrent for retirees seeking a safe community,” Claus said.

Jordan Woolf, CEO of the real estate investment company We Buy Houses In Bama, agreed. Woolf highlighted how Waco “offers fewer cultural and recreational activities compared to larger cities and experiences hot summers and severe weather risks.

Healthcare quality is not great, either. “While there are healthcare facilities, they may not match the quality and range found in larger cities,” Claus said.

A retirement destination must have enough security to make an elderly person feel comfortable enjoying their endless leisure at home or outdoors, according to Brady Bridges, owner of Reside Real Estate, who noted that “Lubbock’s annual crime rate of 53.21 incidents per 1000 residents makes it one of the worst places in Texas to retire.”

“Since the city sees 11,221 property crimes yearly, the chance of guarding a property is slim. The larger percentage of property crime means that retirees can leave their homes in peace for vacations, walks, golfing, socializing and other daily chores,” Brady said.  

To boot, Lubbock offers fewer activities and amenities than other cities that might appeal to retirees, Claus said.

Economic challenges and high crime rates make Beaumont an undesirable location for folks 65 years and older who are looking for a little peace and quiet post work life.

“Beaumont has struggled with economic development, which can affect the availability and quality of services for retirees,” Claus said. “Certain areas in Beaumont have high crime rates, making it less attractive for retirees looking for a safe environment.

Plus there is the elevated threat of natural disasters in the city. Beaumont’s high humidity and significant risk of hurricanes are concerns for retirees, Woolf said. 

If you are looking for wide open space, Amarillo might sound appetizing for a retirement destination. Only problem is that this Texas town might be too isolated.

“Amarillo’s relative isolation from larger metropolitan areas can limit access to a variety of amenities and activities,” Claus said, who also pointed out the climate can be quite erratic and only contribute to the disconnected feeling of living in Amarillo.

“The extreme weather, including very hot summers and cold winters, can be uncomfortable for many retirees,” Claus said.

The high humidity and hurricane risk in Corpus Christi can be problematic, according to Woolf.

“The city also has higher crime rates and a relatively high cost of living, particularly for housing,” Woolf said.

Health care access and economic factors are what concerns Claus for retirees potentially thinking of making the move to Corpus Christi

“While there are healthcare facilities, they may not be as extensive or specialized as those in larger cities,” Claus said. “Lower economic growth and higher unemployment rates can impact the overall quality of services and amenities available.”