Affordable Texas Gems: San Benito, Raymondville, and Mercedes Shine Bright
Budget-Friendly Living in Texas: Insights from Saturday Night Science and Census Data
According to Home Snacks, in a quest for affordable places to live in Texas in the Lone Star State, residents and newcomers alike are turning their gaze towards lesser-known gems like San Benito, Raymondville, and Mercedes. According to the latest analysis of Saturday Night Science and Census data, these three Texan towns top the list of the ten most affordable places to live in Texas to call home in 2024. As housing costs continue to soar across the nation, these communities offer respite with their budget-friendly median home prices and reasonable rent rates, drawing attention away from the bustling cities like Austin and San Antonio.
Prospective residents have a wide range of possibilities when navigating the Texas environment, ranging from small-town charm to seaside living. The draw of inexpensive locations to affordable places to live in Texas is evident despite the allure of city life, especially in these ten cities where the cost of living is far lower than the national average. By carefully examining a number of variables, such as housing, healthcare, and transportation expenditures, the rankings highlight areas in which Texans may stretch their money farther without sacrificing their standard of living. Finding an affordable places to live in Texas is still a top goal for many, as the Lone Star State’s vibrant neighborhoods and rich cultural tapestry continue to draw people in.
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The 10 Top Cheapest Places To Live In Texas For 2024
- San Benito – San Benito emerged as the most affordable city in Texas for the year 2024. In Texas, the cheaper the place to live is generally the one closest to the Mexican border. Southeast Texas’ San Benito, which is located directly off I-69E near the border, meets that description. The overall cost of living index is 69, with an average home price of $120,692 and an average rent of $866. There’s cheap enjoyment to be had at Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park and the neighboring coast.
- Raymondville – The second-cheapest city in the state is Raymondville, which is found in southern Texas’s Willacy County. In the Lone Star State, the city boasts the tenth-best home price to income ratio. At 69, Raymondville’s cost of living index is lower than the state average, solidifying its reputation as a wise financial choice. Veteran’s Park and Smiley Face Park provide inexpensive family activities.
- Mercedes – Mercedes, a border town in southeast Texas, ranks solidly 68th in terms of home-price-to-income ratio and has the 26th lowest housing prices. The cost of living in the city is the third lowest overall. Over the years, Mercedes has gotten progressively more affordable and offers affordable enjoyable activities, such as being close to Estero Llano Grande State Park.
- La Feria – Texas’s La Feria is a coastal town. This town has pleasant winters and scorching summers, so you may wear shorts all year round. La Feria’s modest cost of living makes it rank fourth among Texas’s cheapest cities. You can load up your savings accounts at La Feria since the rent is so cheap that you’ll swear you’re living for nothing. In this town, you could rent a large flat for about $500 a month. We’re not sure your pals will accept your good fortune.
- Brownsville – Cameron County’s Brownsville is the fifth-cheapest city in Texas. At $176,876, the average property price in the state is the 82nd lowest, according to Zillow. With 186,999 residents, Brownsville is the largest city in southeast Texas. Actually, the majority of the other cities on this list are suburbs of Brownsville. Two inexpensive things to do in the city are the Ernesto Gamez Cascade Park and the Gladys Porter Zoo.
- Borger – For individuals seeking an inexpensive area to live, Borger, Texas, is a fantastic spot to call home. Borger, which has 12,505 residents, has a typical rent of $868 and a median property value of $83,727. It is among the most reasonably priced places to reside in Texas because this is far less than in other cities in the state. Bolger offers a wide range of leisure pursuits to its citizens. These facilities include the Borger Municipal Golf Course, a swimming pool at the Johnson Park Youth Center, a climbing wall, and a disc golf course.
- Elsa – We’re traveling to Elsa, the fifth most cheap place in Texas, which is located in Hidalgo County, close to the Mexican border. Elsa has a 25% lower cost of living than the state average of Texas, which means that expenses for services, healthcare, and transportation will be lower. Elsa differs from the average, though, in that her housing costs only account for 31% of the total. Elsa boasts the 11th lowest rent and the 29th cheapest houses in all of Texas. Elsa has a median home price of $129,544, yet you can rent a place for as little as $691. Don’t assume that Elsa sacrifices quality because it’s so affordable. An old railroad site is being transformed into a brand-new park, for which the city is now spending a lot of money.
- Marlin – Being one of the few locations not close to the border, marlin is a fish out of water on this list. In the Lone Star State, Marlin is the sixth most affordable city. With housing prices of $79,151 and a total cost of living that is 74, 18.7% less than the Texas average, saving money is simple. Marlin is outside of Waco, halfway between Austin and Dallas. A great place to spend an afternoon is nearby, at Falls On the Brazos Park.
- Harlingen – Harlingen, the ninth-cheapest place in the state, is our stop before heading back to the border. About 30 minutes are spent to the north of Brownsville. Utilities, services, and healthcare have low index values, contributing to the overall cost of living of 76. Two excellent neighborhood parks are Hugh Ramsey Nature Park and the Harlingen Thicket.
- Donna – Donna, located in Hidalgo County, is the ninth most affordable city in the state. With a rather low overall cost of living index of 76, which is 15 points less than the state average, it barely made the list. With a ratio of 3.99, the home price to income ranks 227th in the state. This implies that you will have extra money to spend on your yearly trip to San Antonio to see the Spurs play.