"At home I am forced to watch these real-estate shows on cable and am just amazed at the vast differences in home prices around the country."
Texas is playing catchup with most of the rest of the country, prices are appreciating in most areas of Texas. My commercial sites in Texas are finally moving, they were pretty dead for a couple of years.
Also, the gas drillers are coming out of the woodwork and leasing everything in sight. I'm loving that, they help pay the taxes on my vacant land. Hopefully they will drill come of it soon.
I don't know what the real estate prices for homes in the rest of Texas are, but I just helped my Mom sell her home in Houston. I am still amazed at the very low prices of homes for such a large metro area. I have read that the lack of zoning laws contributes to the low prices.
Texas taxpayers may pay high property taxes, but with no income taxes, particularly if you have a two income family, Texans will find that they are still paying low taxes compared to states with income taxes.