5 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Texas
So you're thinking about moving to Dallas, Texas? You might be in for some surprises—both good and bad.
As a real estate broker who helps families relocate to North Texas all the time, I see the same patterns emerge with nearly every out-of-state move. There are certain realities about living here that consistently catch people off guard, no matter how much research they've done beforehand. Some of these surprises are pleasant. Others require a bit of mental adjustment.
Let me walk you through the five things that surprise newcomers most when they make the move to Dallas and North Texas.
The Cost of Living Reality
People are constantly coming to Texas for the low cost of living, and that reputation is still deserved. But I think a lot of people arrive with outdated expectations, particularly when it comes to housing costs.
There's a persistent myth that you can still buy a mansion in Dallas with a $300,000 budget. That's just not the case anymore. Median home prices nationally were $416,000 last quarter, and here in DFW they were about $440,000. So we're actually running a little higher than the national median.
Now, before that number scares you off, keep this in mind: you're living in a major metro area. I seriously doubt you could take that same budget to any other major metro and get the same number or quality of homes you can buy here in Dallas. The value proposition is still strong—it's just not quite as dramatic as it was a decade ago.
I saw a study showing that New Yorkers spend 68% of their income on rent. Your housing costs in Dallas are going to be nowhere close to that percentage of your income. They might just be higher than you initially expected.
Here's the good news, though: all the other things that support your lifestyle are much more affordable here. Gas is cheap. Electricity is cheap. It's affordable to eat out, and there are tons of great entertainment options that won't break the bank. Your entire lifestyle can be maintained much more affordably.
Consider this perspective: a person living in San Francisco with a $100,000 income can have the same quality of life here for $55,000. Just imagine the remote worker who takes their six-figure San Francisco salary and moves it to North Texas. They're almost doubling their quality of life without changing their income at all.
Understanding Texas Taxes
The good news is that Texas is one of only nine states that don't have a state income tax. You're going to keep a lot more of your paycheck, and that's a real advantage if you're moving from a high-tax state.
But something that surprises a lot of people—and catches them off guard during their first year of homeownership—are the property taxes. They're probably higher than you think.
If you're buying that median-priced home around $450,000, you're probably looking at a tax bill somewhere in the range of $8,000 to $9,000 annually. That's a real number that needs to be factored into your monthly housing costs. The property tax situation catches a lot of people off guard, but it's essentially how we fund our entire state government without that income tax.
On top of property taxes, we do have a sales tax. The state sales tax is 6.25%, and most localities are going to add another 2%, so you're looking at about 8.25% sales tax on most purchases.
When you run the numbers on the total tax picture—no income tax, moderate property taxes, reasonable sales tax—most people moving from high-tax states still come out significantly ahead. You just need to understand the full picture going in.
The People of North Texas
The people of North Texas are incredibly welcoming and friendly. I don't know exactly how they measure these things, but Texas is ranked as the fourth most friendly state in the nation.
I host a podcast about living in and moving to North Texas, and almost every guest who's relocated here comments on how surprised they were by how welcoming and friendly the people are. There's a genuine warmth here that you feel immediately, whether you're at the grocery store, a neighborhood event, or just chatting with someone at a coffee shop.
North Texas is also remarkably multicultural and diverse. I often joke that if you drive far enough on Preston Road, you can find anything under the sun. We have thriving communities from around the world, incredible international restaurants, cultural festivals, and a level of diversity that surprises people who might have outdated stereotypes about Texas.
There really is something here for everybody in North Texas, and the welcoming nature of the people makes it easy to find your community and feel at home quickly.
It Gets a Little Hot Here
Another thing that might surprise you about North Texas: it's a little hot here. And this past summer has been really hot—most days over 100 degrees. When it's in the 90s, it honestly feels like a cold front has moved through.
The good news is that Texas has great weather about nine months of the year. We have beautiful springs and falls, and our winters are generally mild and pleasant. But those summer months? They're intense.
Air conditioning is a big part of our culture here. You're going to want a house with great AC—not just functional, but really good air conditioning. And you'll probably find yourself choosing activities in the summer that are in indoor environments. Shopping, restaurants, museums, entertainment venues—anything with climate control becomes very appealing from June through August.
Be warned: it gets hot here. But if you can handle three months of serious heat in exchange for nine months of beautiful weather, it's a trade-off that works for a lot of people.
Dallas is Great for Foodies
When it's hot, one of the best things you can do is go out to eat. And fortunately, Dallas has an incredible food scene.
Of course we have barbecue—who doesn't love Texas barbecue? We also have authentic Tex-Mex, another cuisine that Texas does better than anywhere else. But beyond those obvious strengths, you can find a little of everything here.
We have a really underappreciated restaurant scene, and I genuinely believe that a big part of the culture in Dallas is eating out and trying new restaurants. The dynamic range of options is impressive, from high-end fine dining to incredible neighborhood spots to authentic international cuisine from around the world.
Get ready to be pleasantly surprised by all your food options in Dallas. It's one of those unexpected perks of living here that enhances your quality of life in ways you might not have anticipated.
The Bottom Line on Moving to Dallas
There's a little bit of everything here for you in North Texas, and while there are definitely a few surprises along the way, the overall quality of living in Dallas is exceptional.
Yes, housing costs are higher than the Texas stereotype suggests. Yes, property taxes require some adjustment if you're not used to them. And yes, you'll need to embrace air conditioning as a lifestyle necessity for a few months each year.
But you're also getting a thriving economy, no state income tax, incredibly friendly people, remarkable diversity, outstanding food, and a cost of living that still allows you to maintain a higher quality of life than you could in most other major metros across the country.
If you're seriously considering a move to Dallas or anywhere in North Texas, I'd encourage you to visit during different seasons, talk to people who've made the move, and really understand both the surprises and the advantages that come with living here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dallas offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to coastal metros. A person earning $100,000 in San Francisco can maintain the same quality of life in Dallas for approximately $55,000. While median home prices in DFW ($440,000) are slightly above the national median ($416,000), they're substantially lower than other major metropolitan areas, and all other lifestyle expenses—gas, electricity, dining, entertainment—are much more affordable.
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Texas property taxes typically run higher than many states because they fund state and local government in lieu of state income tax. For a median-priced home around $450,000, expect an annual property tax bill in the range of $8,000 to $9,000. Rates vary by county and school district, but this is an important factor to budget for in your monthly housing costs.
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Yes, Texas is one of only nine states with no state income tax. This means you keep more of your paycheck compared to states with income tax. The state generates revenue through property taxes (higher than many states) and sales tax (6.25% state rate plus local additions, typically totaling around 8.25%), but most people relocating from high-tax states still come out ahead financially.
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Dallas summers are intense, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees from June through August. However, Texas enjoys excellent weather approximately nine months of the year, with beautiful springs, pleasant falls, and mild winters. Air conditioning is essential and becomes a significant part of daily life during peak summer months. Most residents adjust by choosing indoor activities during the hottest periods.
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Yes, Dallas and North Texas are remarkably diverse and multicultural, which surprises many newcomers. The area has thriving communities from around the world, reflected in the incredible variety of international restaurants, cultural events, and neighborhoods. Areas like Preston Road showcase this diversity, offering authentic cuisine and cultural experiences from virtually every corner of the globe.
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Dallas has an outstanding and often underappreciated restaurant scene. Beyond the obvious strengths of Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine, the city offers dynamic options across all price points and cuisines. The culture here embraces dining out and exploring new restaurants, with everything from high-end fine dining to authentic neighborhood spots representing culinary traditions from around the world.
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Texas ranks as the fourth most friendly state in the nation, and the welcoming nature of North Texas residents is one of the most consistent surprises reported by newcomers. There's a genuine warmth and hospitality that's evident in daily interactions, from casual encounters to community events, making it easier for transplants to build connections and feel at home quickly.
Ready to Find Your Perfect North Texas Home?
My team and I would love to be your real estate resource of choice. Whether you're relocating from across the country or exploring different communities across DFW, we'll help you find the right fit for your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals.
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About the Author: Matt Haistings is a real estate broker associate with Compass Real Estate, specializing in the Dallas-Fort Worth market with 10+ years of local expertise. Based in Plano, Matt helps families navigate North Texas relocations with data-driven market intelligence.
This article was last updated August 2023 .
