Trip Ideas 8 Best Places to Retire in Texas, According to Local Experts From small towns to big cities, these retirement destinations in Texas offer affordable housing, excellent health care, and mild winter weather. By Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 5, 2024 Close Photo: Peter Blottman Photography/Getty Images With nearly 269,000 square miles of land, Texas is the largest of the lower 48 states, and it continues to attract not only vacationers, but also new residents. In fact, for the sixth time in eight years, the Lone Star State is the number one growth state in the country. Texas offers a range of environments, from desert to coastline and big cities to small towns. The relatively reasonable cost of living, mild winter climate, excellent health care, and cultural opportunities are some of its major draws. In addition, there’s no state income tax, and while home prices vary, there are plenty of affordable cities and towns. And in some cases, property taxes can be deferred for residents over the age of 65. Using a variety of criteria, several outlets have analyzed Texas' cities to come up with their list of the best places to retire in the state. HomeSnacks, for example, considered a range of factors for their 2024 list of best places to retire in Texas: low crime, low cost of living as measured by rent, things to do, weather, distance to the closest international airport, and a high median age. Home Bay, meanwhile, compared popular Texas cities based on criteria like percent of the population over age 60, the number of four- and five-star Medicare facilities within a 50-mile radius, the median annual property tax rate, walkability, the Yelp rating of retirement homes, recreational activities, weather, single-family home values, and costs of internet, utilities, and public transit. Empower recently published a list of the best places to retire in Texas based on U.S. census data, taking into account cost of living, crime rate, health care, median home value, and percent of population over age 65. Based on these lists, research, and input from local experts, we’ve come up with our eight best places to retire in Texas. 01 of 08 Kerrville travelview/Getty Images “Kerrville has everything you need, and it’s one of the prettiest parts of Texas,” says Mark Keller of The Reno Realty Group, who has lived in the city for 30 years. “Summers are hot, but winters are mild, and we have four seasons.” Located in central Texas, Kerrville is about 65 miles from San Antonio. Empower comments on Kerrville’s low crime rate and cost of living, as well as its amenities. The city is known for its parks, art galleries, natural beauty, and The Museum of Western Art. The Guadalupe River runs through Kerrville, and residents enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking. Keller and HomeSnacks both estimate the median home price to be about $350,000. 02 of 08 Fredericksburg VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images Located about 80 miles west of Austin in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg was founded in the mid-1800s by German immigrants. Its walkable Main Street boasts antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, museums, farmers markets, and 19th-century architecture. The city is also home to wineries, farms, orchards, and springtime wildflowers, all of which make it a lovely place to live. Liza Smith of Absolute Charm Real Estate Group tells Travel + Leisure, “We are very lucky here in Fredericksburg to have big-city amenities and small-town charm. With our many events during the year, we attract visitors who enjoy fine dining, wineries, golf courses, and our friendly atmosphere.” Smith adds, “We have a range of places to live and an excellent hospital. New homes start in the $270s, and we have luxury development, Boot Ranch, with homes into the multimillions.” Fredericksburg receives an overall rating of B from Niche, with median home value of about $416,700, while Home Snacks states median home value as $540,684. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average according to BestPlaces, and healthcare quality and availability is excellent. 03 of 08 The Woodlands GJGK Photography/Getty Images Named by Niche as one of the country’s best places to live, The Woodlands is a planned suburban community about 34 miles from downtown Houston. Set on 28,000 acres, the destinations includes biking and hiking trails, parks, golf courses, and The Waterway, a 1.25-mile-long park with kayaking, paddleboarding, and water taxis. The median home price is $615,000, according to Redfin. Single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and apartments are available to rent in The Woodlands. “In addition to world-class health care, arts and music events, a network of more than 200 miles of paved pathways and parks supporting outdoor activities like fishing, pickleball, and tennis, and close proximity to an international airport, The Woodlands has been consistently ranked a top place to live in the U.S.,” says Jacci Kilgore of The Jacci Group, Compass Real Estate. “With quality affordable housing and health care at the top of mind for many retirees, The Woodlands checks all the boxes.” 04 of 08 Houston Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure “What makes Houston unique and especially versatile is that different areas of our big, spread-out town encourage various lifestyles for residents at all stages of life,” Laura Gerardi, realtor associate at the Bonck Group, tells T+L. “Those who are becoming empty nesters and considering retirement may gravitate toward suburban areas such as Katy, Cypress, or Sienna, where they can enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle while being able to afford a lot more house and/or land. In the heart of Houston, on the other hand, they can experience the best of both worlds — big-city living with plenty of diverse restaurants, shops, museums, and cultural, arts, and sports experiences.” Niche calls Houston one of the best places to live in Texas. Located in eastern part of the state, near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is home to a Museum District, excellent health facilities, and several colleges, including the University of Houston, where seniors ages 65 and older are able to audit courses for free. Housing costs vary depending on the area, from the city to the suburbs. 05 of 08 Corpus Christi Wirestock/Getty Images Located near the Gulf of Mexico and the 70-mile Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi is an attractive retirement destination for fans of the beach, wildlife, and outdoors. The city also has a casual lifestyle, low housing prices, tasty seafood, and a large retiree population. The Art Center offers all levels of art classes, and there are historic homes, parks, a marina, farmers markets, and the First Friday ArtWalk with music, food trucks, vendors, and art galleries. According to Redfin, the median home price is about $264,000. “Corpus Christi’s slow-paced atmosphere appeals to visitors and locals who enjoy the warm winters, the beach vibe, fishing, and downtown’s restaurants and activities,” Devante Boll, realtor with KM Premier Real Estate, tells T+L. “The cost of living is affordable, and we’re seeing retirees and millennials coming to our area where they can buy a home at a lower price than in most beach cities.” He adds, “We enjoy our comfortable style of living, and we’re not far from big cities when we want a change of pace.” 06 of 08 Lockhart peeterv/Getty Images Lockhart offers an affordable cost of living, in addition to a median home price of $290,000, according to Redfin. Small-town charm, farmers markets, and a lively downtown known as the Square define Lockhart. The city is also known as the “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” with a barbecue history dating back to 1875. “Located a quick 30 miles south of Austin, Lockhart is great for a day trip or weekend getaway for those wanting to visit the city known for its barbecue,” according to a March 2024 report by Chloe Stavinoha, market research analyst at Aquila, an Austin commercial real estate firm. "Lockhart offers a small-town atmosphere with the convenience of nearby cities. As a fast-growing region of Texas, Lockhart is a community with charm and character.” 07 of 08 Austin Austen Johnson/Travel + Leisure Austin’s high-quality health care system, cultural scene, outdoor recreation, and moderate weather make the Texas capital an attractive place to live and retire. While housing costs are higher than other cities on this list, Austin offers a variety of neighborhoods in varying price ranges for both renters and buyers, whether choosing a house, condo, townhouse, or retirement community. “We have many great places for retirees to live in and near Austin,” says realtor Vikki Davis of Bramlett Residential Real Estate. “There are several retirement communities [near Austin], like Sun City Texas in Georgetown, with lots of activities for seniors, both indoors or outdoors. Georgetown is a beautiful place to live, and its downtown area has been called the ‘Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas’ for its shops, restaurants, bars, and Art Center.” 08 of 08 San Antonio f11photo/Getty Images Located about 80 miles southwest of Austin, San Antonio is considered an attractive retirement destination. Homes are relatively affordable, with a median price of $274,000, according to Redfin. Excellent health care facilities are available, and the city has an international airport, a big convenience for retirees who plan to travel. Realtor Brenda Acevedo with Keller Williams Realty, has been selling homes in San Antonio since 1987, and she’s had many clients who have chosen the area for their retirement. “San Antonio is a top destination for retirees for multiple reasons: the price of housing, the 900-acre South Texas Medical Center and its nine hospitals and five specialty institutions, the weather, and the recreational activities within San Antonio and nearby areas,” she says. “However, the most cited reason people move to San Antonio is its culture and people. Older people are welcomed and revered for their wealth of experience and the contributions they make to our city. San Antonio is a place to share your talents, and volunteerism is key to the well-being of our community. I don't know a single San Antonian who has not volunteered in one way or another to help others.”