One Of The Cheapest Places To Live In Texas Is A County With A Median Property Tax Bill Of $833

Texas is known for big landscapes and a surprisingly affordable cost of living. While large metros like Austin and Houston often dominate the spotlight, it's smaller cities like Fredericksburg and San Marcos that offer affordable housing and appealing retirement options. Texas as a whole continues to attract residents from across the country with its lack of income tax, low cost of living, and affordable home prices. But if you're looking to stretch your dollar further, Ward County stands out, according to Kiplinger.

Located in the western handle of the state, between Odessa and Fort Stockton, the region is known as the Oasis of the Texas Desert and has a low cost of living and incredibly low property taxes, with the median property tax bill just $833. This area can be great for outdoor adventurers on a budget as it is close to the Monahans Sandhills State Park and filled with camping and fishing locations.

Today, covering basic necessities like groceries, utilities, and housing is becoming more difficult for many people, due to general inflation or tariff-related price hikes. However, Ward County remains relatively affordable when compared to the rest of the state and the broader United States. For example, the median home value is significantly lower here at just $176,731, according to Zillow. In comparison the median home value in Texas is $306,682, while across the country that number shoots up to $369,147, according to Zillow. The gap in value alone can translate to thousands of dollars in savings a year on mortgage and property taxes.

Everyday expenses also track lower when compared to the state averages thanks to the region's rural setting. According to the MIT cost of living calculator, a single adult with no children would require $41,040 a year before taxes to live comfortably, but that the same person would need $45,386 elsewhere in the state. Meanwhile, a family of two adults and one child would need $68,911 to live in Ward County, compared to $74,727 throughout the state. According to the calculator, the biggest savings areas that contribute to the overall affordability include housing, child care, and transportation. Weather seeking a rural place to live, low taxes, or just an afforable place to live, Ward County may be worth looking into.