Three Reasons to Move to Texas: Here are a few benefits of relocating to the Lone Star State.

Kiplingers ^ | 09/08/2023 | KATELYN WASHINGTON

[SeekAndFind]

If you’re considering a move to Texas, join the crowd. According to the US Census Bureau, Texas’ population grew by 9,085,073 between 2000 and 2022, which is more than in any other state. Roughly 29% of Texas’ population growth was due to out-of-state relocations. 

Why are so many people moving to Texas? There are plenty of reasons so many people move to Texas, not the least of which is lower taxes.

Some people move to Texas for low taxes 

Moving to Texas can come with big tax benefits for people of all ages, and some people in higher-taxed states have taken notice. For example, Kiplinger reported on IRS migration data showing Texas among the most commonly moved-to states for people living in high-tax states, such as California and New York.

Texas doesn’t have an income tax 

Nearly everyone can enjoy the fact that Texas is a state that doesn’t impose a personal income tax. The "working class" doesn’t pay state tax on wages, retirees don’t pay state income tax on retirement benefits, and investors don’t pay state tax on investment income. 

That means you don’t need to worry if your income source changes (for example, if your income changes from wages to 401(k) distributions when you retire). How your income is taxed at the state level in Texas won’t change unless Texas law changes. 

Texas cities with low property taxes 

Currently, most Texas property taxes are fairly high compared to those in most other states. However, some areas of Texas impose lower property taxes than others. According to Texas Real Estate Source, average annual property tax bills fall below $400 in these Texas counties.

• Terrell County ($285)
• Ward County ($342)
• Zapata County ($359)
• Upton County ($359)
• Zavala County ($369)
• Kent County ($396)

Additionally, a recently passed Texas property tax relief package could lower property taxes for all Texas homeowners. If voters approve the package in November, homeowners should see lower school tax bills and an increased homestead exemption of up to $100,000 ($110,000 for people with disabilities and those 65 and older).

Texas sales tax exemptions 

Other recently passed legislation includes a Texas sales tax relief bill, which will make several items tax-free in Texas, beginning this month, i.e., September. 

• Maternity clothing, nursing bras and nursing pads will be tax-exempt.
• Baby wipes, baby diapers and baby bottles will be tax-free.
• Some women’s hygiene products will be tax-exempt.
• Wound care dressings (such as bandages) will be tax-free.

Texans already enjoy some sales tax exemptions not available in all other states. For example, Texas doesn’t tax groceries like neighboring states Arkansas and Oklahoma do. Additionally, Texas holds an annual ‘tax-free weekend’ that makes certain clothing and school supply items tax-exempt. 

Also, Texas shoppers no longer pay state sales tax on menstrual products, such as tampons and sanitary pads. As of September 1, Texas is the 25th state to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products, also sometimes referred to as the "pink tax" or "tampon tax."

Pros and cons of moving to Texas 

While the overall tax burden in Texas is low, some types of taxes aren’t as appealing. One of these taxes is a new Texas tax on electric vehicles that will increase registration costs for EV owners by nearly as much as 800%. 

Other pros and cons of moving to Texas depend on who you are. For example, the weather in Texas is a pro for some people since the state has generally mild winters. (According to the Texas Film Commission, snow is uncommon in most of the state.) 

But of course, before making the move to Texas (or any other state) some people may consider everything from cost of living and political climate to proximity to family, and job opportunities. Families should weigh the pros and cons of moving to a new area, so they can make the best decision for their circumstances.

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[GOPmember]

And, if your dog runs away, you can still see him for 3 days.

[doorgunner69]

You forgot humidity.

[abbastanza]

You should go back go back to CA.

[waterhill]

You forgot scorpions, copperhead, cotton mouth, 3 or 4 different kinds of rattlesnakes, pumas, bobcats, deer in the road, and sasquatch in the Big Thicket.

[CatOwner]

Why? You should hear some of the native Texans in the area who are annoyed as hell about the water system here. I’m definitely not alone. But if it makes you feel better telling me to go back to California, have at it. But that’s not happening. Our kid is now married (to a native Texan), and they own a house here. We’re going nowhere.

[DIRTYSECRET]

People from Texas are a proud bunch. Belt buckle, boots, hat. Why don’t they live there anymore? Heat and an untrustworthy grid. I’ll pass.

[joma89]

Texas is too hot for me but I am very sure I am the kind of person you would want to move to Texas.

[Excellence]

Not one person mentioned tornadoes?!
Also, our speaker of the house is corrupt to the max. It’s been a horrible disappointment.
On the other hand, we have Constitutional carry.
Dallas/Houston suck, but there’s tons of open land.

[PIF]

Don’t forget the brownouts and blackouts

[Tacrolimus1mg]

Our formerly red county in IL went blue in the last fifteen years, and my brother lived in Dallas for the last three. He moved back because he missed us - we couldn’t save up enough to move down there. This state is killing us financially, and potentially literally.

For me, it’s Texas or Wyoming. I just want to be away from people and a major city; the caveat being that I need to be within an hour of a hospital thanks to sh¡t health that is no fault of mine.

We’re a conservative family stuck in a Leftist hellhole. We want out.

[Sicon]

29% of the growth was from people moving from other states. The other 70% was illegals moving from Mexico.

[vespa300]

Except for the brutal heat in summer, Texas is a great. But this heat has been unbearable lately. Frankly, it’s almost too much to bear. Just being honest. You can’t do anything for 3 months. Just stay inside and hope your AC holds up.

[TokarevM57]

....true...!! this is probably the hottest summer here since the miserable summer of 2011......record-setting 107 degrees in Austin yesterday and 109 degrees in the suburbs....But for a state as rich as Texas is, the roads are not all that good. But if you are a gun enthusiast,Texas is great....!! good gun shows and virtually no hassles when you go to buy a gun....!!

[mewzilla]

Q for Texans because TX doesn’t make it easy to find current info.

Federal aid as a % of general revenues in the Texas budget, what’s it running at in the current budget...?

[TokarevM57]

....Texas summers - brutal....!
....Wyoming winters - brutal....!

[rfreedom4u]

Exactly! Our high yesterday was 106! IN SEPTEMBER!

[rfreedom4u]

I’m shocked at how low the lake levels are. Lake Belton and Stillhouse are the lowest I’ve ever seen.

[BobL]

“While the overall tax burden in Texas is low, some types of taxes aren’t as appealing. One of these taxes is a new Texas tax on electric vehicles that will increase registration costs for EV owners by nearly as much as 800%.”

The 800% number is meaningless, since the extra cost is $200/year, which is less, in some cases FAR LESS, than normal vehicle registration in other states.

On the other hand, I’m perfectly happy if the idiots who buy EVs stay in California and Berkley...so, no complaint to the editor on this point.

[suthener]

“Some of us had to explain to the southerners what it was.”

That’s hilarious. Were you with a bunch of retarded people? You know, of course, at your level of intelligence, that it snows in the south sometimes, right? Even us idiots in far, far south Alabama get snow sometimes. We don’t look at it and go, “whut the heck is that white stuff falling from the sky”. We pretty much know what it is.

[who knows what evil?]

You forgot ‘humidity’...OMG around Houston!