For anyone considering a move out of Colorado, Texas can be an appealing option. Not only is Texas within driving distance of Colorado but it also comes with many advantages that make it a worthwhile state to consider moving to.
If you are thinking about moving from Colorado to Texas, then this guide is for you. From lower taxes to greater job opportunities, Texas has a lot to offer. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about relocating to Texas, including some of the pros and cons of the state.
Keep reading to learn all about moving from Colorado to Texas and what this relocation entails!
Why Is Everyone Moving To Texas?
Texas has become a hot topic amongst individuals and families looking to relocate from their current state — but what makes Texas such a good place to move to?
According to AP News, some of the top reasons many people are choosing to move to Texas include:
- Job Opportunity: Texas is one of the biggest hubs for the energy industry, especially when it comes to gas and oil. In addition to energy-related jobs, Texas also has many opportunities in other industries such as business services, technology, and manufacturing.
- Cost of Living: Compared to other states in the U.S., Texas has a lower overall cost of living when it comes to housing prices, utilities, and transportation. Moreover, goods and services in Texas tend to be cheaper than in other states and regions.
- Property Costs: Although property prices are beginning to grow more and more in the densest urban areas, Texas has many wonderful suburban and more rural areas with incredibly affordable property options.
- Lower Taxes: In terms of paying taxes, Texas takes the cake in terms of affordability. Statewide, Texas does not impose an individual income tax. The sales tax rate is relatively low at 6.25% and the local sales tax typically caps out at 2%. You can learn more about Texas’s tax rates here.
- Large Urban Areas: While Texas has many rural areas it also has some of the biggest urban areas in the entire country. For instance, many people moving from Colorado are drawn to the larger cities like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. This also helps to increase the number of job opportunities available in the state.
Living In Texas Pros and Cons
When planning a move from Colorado to Texas, it is crucial to consider both the pros and cons.
Moving from state to state can be a costly endeavor, so it is important to be as prepared as possible — especially since you likely won’t want to make a second big move like this any time soon.
Here are 3 examples of both pros and cons of living in Texas to keep in mind:
Pros
We have already covered some of the main reasons why Texas is a great state to live in including job opportunities, cost of living, lower property costs, lower taxes, and large urban areas.
As such, we will cover 3 additional pros aside from these 5.
These pros include:
- Asset Protection: Texas has many legal protections in place to ensure the security of your assets, from physical assets like property to non-tangible assets like stocks and other investments. For example, Texas protects your homestead property from creditors with the Texas Homestead Law.
- Warm Weather Year-Round: Having a sub-tropical climate to the southeast and a more arid climate in the northwestern parts of the state means that Texas will have warm weather year-round. While some areas can get colder weather in the winter months, generally the majority of the state experiences warm weather all year-round.
- Family Friendliness: Texas is considered to be one of the more family-friendly states in the U.S., with more than 7.4 million families residing in the entire state. Additionally, Texas has some excellent school systems, with most of the top-rated schools located in more metropolitan areas like Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
Cons
As for the cons of living in Texas, like all states, these cons can vary depending on which area of the state you are living in.
Generally, some of the most important cons to consider include:
- Severe Weather: Being a coastal state, Texas is fairly exposed to extreme weather events like hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service, the average frequency of hurricanes is one hurricane every six years along any 50-mile stretch of the Texas coast. This type of severe weather needs to be considered, as it can affect your property maintenance costs and value.
- Power Grid Complications: In the winter of 2021, the state of Texas experienced a power grid failure that left many people without power for more than two weeks. This was a major event to keep an eye on, as changes and improvements are still being made to the power grid.
- Slow Internet: In the highly urban areas of the state, it is perfectly easy to find good Internet access — whether through a WiFi service company or public places with free WiFi. However, if you choose to move to a more rural area, you may experience more limited access to speedy Internet.
How Far Is Texas From Colorado?
The distance from Texas to Colorado largely depends on which area of Colorado you are coming from and which area of Texas you are traveling to.
In terms of physical distance from one state line to the other, Colorado and Texas are roughly 30 to 50 miles apart from the southeast of Colorado to the northwest of Texas. Driving from Colorado to Texas can vary drastically depending on your starting and ending locations and can vary from one hour to more than 12 hours.
Flying from Colorado to Texas can also vary, as there are multiple airports in both states. From the largest airport in Colorado (Denver International Airport) to the largest airport in Texas (Dallas Fort Worth International Airport), nonstop flights take roughly 2 hours.
Cost of Living In Texas vs Colorado
As a lower cost of living in Texas is one of the biggest perks of moving to the state, it is essential to compare the average cost of living between Texas and Colorado.
According to Best Places — an online cost of living comparison tool — the cost of living in Texas is rated as a 93.9, more than 6 points below the national average. Some of the most affordable cost of living factors include groceries, healthcare, and housing. Utilities also rank lower than the national average.
How Much Is Rent In Texas?
Rent can vary pretty drastically depending on which area of Texas you are in, as well as what neighborhood in a specific city or town you live in.
The statewide average cost of rent in Texas is estimated at $1,043 for an 822 sq. ft. apartment. Additional Texas renting statistics include:
- 47% of renters pay between $701 to $1,000
- 44% of renters pay between $1,001 to $1,500
- 5% of renters pay between $1,501 to $2,000
- 3% of renters pay between $501 to $700
Additional data from RentData.org states that average fair market rent prices per type of apartment include:
- $615 for a studio/efficiency apartment
- $685 for a 1-bedroom
- $831 for a 2-bedroom
- $1,164 for 3-bedroom
- $1,388 for 4-bedroom
How Much Is A House In Texas?
Like with rent, the cost of property largely depends on which area of the state you are living in.
According to 24/7 Wall St., the average value of a standard one-family home is around $257,628. Additionally, the average yearly increase in property value sits at about 18.1% and the average household income is roughly $64,034.
Best Place To Live In Texas
In general, the best places to live in Texas are the larger cities, like Austin, Dallas, and Houston. However, living in the suburban areas surrounding them can provide you with a lower cost of living without sacrificing the advantages of close proximity to the city.
In the 2022 Niche Best Places to Live in Texas awards, the top 5 neighborhoods include:
- Cottonwood Creek South (Located in Richardson, Texas)
- Heights Park (Located in Richardson, Texas)
- Cinco Ranch (A suburb of Houston, Texas)
- The Woodlands (City in Texas)
- Canyon Creek South (Located in Richardson, Texas)
Final Thoughts: What To Look For In A Long-Distance Moving Company
Now that you have decided to relocate from Colorado to Texas, your next big step is to decide how you will move all of your belongings to your new home.
While moving everything yourself via a rental truck can seem like the most hassle-free option initially, it ultimately ends up being pretty costly when you factor in gas prices and physical labor. By comparison, a full-service moving company can offer you the convenience and support you need for a smooth transition.
When looking for a long-distance moving company to put your trust in, look for one that offers:
- Transparent Pricing: Always seek out companies that offer free and transparent pricing so that you aren’t tricked into paying hefty hidden fees.
- Great Reviews: The best way to discover whether a moving company is worth the investment is by reading online reviews! Companies with a majority of good reviews are much more likely to provide you with a good experience.
- Mover’s Insurance: Whenever possible, opt for a company that has mover’s insurance options that you can select that will protect you and your belongings in the event of an emergency or other unexpected scenario.
With all of this in mind, get to shopping for the right moving company for your big move from Colorado to Texas!
To receive a free estimate from Word Of Mouth Movers for your big move from Colorado to Texas click here.