Quick answer
Texas is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $355,250 versus $412,250. Texas shows +6.6% population change and Arizona +1.7%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | Texas | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $355,250 | $412,250 |
| Median rent | $1,877/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Household income | $128,573 | $103,578 |
| Population change | +6.6% | +1.7% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 349 | 383 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.8× | 4.0× |
| State wage income tax | None | Yes |
Texas in numbers
Median home value
$355,250
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,877/mo
Household income
$128,573
Violent crime / 100k
349
Texas, 2025
Population change
+6.6%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.0%
State wage income tax
None
Home value ÷ income
2.8×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celina, TX | 88 | $458,000 | $2,064 | $155,875 | +26.2% |
| Sienna, TX | 83 | $440,600 | $2,853 | $171,709 | +8.1% |
| Pecan Grove, TX | 81 | $359,300 | $1,833 | $137,275 | +8.8% |
| Fulshear, TX | 78 | $546,200 | $1,889 | $178,398 | +25.2% |
| Corinth, TX | 77 | $351,200 | $1,826 | $118,949 | +1.6% |
| Leander, TX | 76 | $470,700 | $1,865 | $140,180 | +8.6% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | 82 | $161,300 | $825 | $77,355 | +1.1% |
| Bailey County | 80 | $104,400 | $744 | $70,625 | +2.1% |
| Burleson County | 80 | $174,000 | $909 | $72,888 | +2.1% |
| Carson County | 77 | $140,600 | $933 | $84,583 | +0.0% |
| Archer County | 76 | $175,300 | $766 | $71,958 | +1.0% |
| Dallam County | 75 | $140,500 | $1,074 | $72,332 | +0.2% |
Arizona in numbers
Median home value
$412,250
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,795/mo
Household income
$103,578
Violent crime / 100k
383
Arizona, 2025
Population change
+1.7%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+12.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
4.0×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Creek, AZ | 78 | $576,600 | $2,176 | $134,719 | +7.4% |
| Oro Valley, AZ | 73 | $440,400 | $1,602 | $105,342 | +1.2% |
| Green Valley, AZ | 72 | $264,300 | $1,135 | $58,268 | +3.1% |
| Marana, AZ | 71 | $380,100 | $1,702 | $108,256 | +3.7% |
| Maricopa, AZ | 70 | $338,600 | $1,919 | $94,208 | +5.7% |
| Catalina Foothills, AZ | 69 | $604,100 | $1,332 | $113,201 | +2.3% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinal County | 71 | $312,100 | $1,417 | $77,588 | +3.7% |
| Yavapai County | 67 | $392,900 | $1,258 | $66,106 | +1.6% |
| Graham County | 66 | $202,700 | $890 | $67,326 | +1.1% |
| Greenlee County | 64 | $136,300 | $570 | $75,239 | -0.3% |
| Yuma County | 58 | $195,700 | $983 | $60,417 | +1.6% |
| Cochise County | 55 | $207,400 | $939 | $58,970 | -0.0% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Texas vs. Arizona: Where Should You Live in 2027?
Texas is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $355,250 versus $412,250. Texas shows +6.6% population change and Arizona +1.7%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in Texas?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Texas cities are Celina, Sienna, Pecan Grove, Fulshear, Corinth, and the top counties are Clay County, Bailey County, Burleson County, Carson County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
Texas does not tax wage income at the state level. Property, sales and other local taxes still apply, so compare the full cost.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
