Cheapest Cost of Living in Texas: Where Single-Income Families Can Actually Thrive in 2023

Making ends meet on a single paycheck across America has become increasingly challenging. Yet Texas offers a genuine escape from this reality. Several cities throughout the state maintain living expenses that allow single-income households to achieve genuine financial stability and comfort. This comprehensive analysis identifies where in Texas the cheapest cost of living exists, examining the economic realities of supporting a family on one income.

The Reality of Single-Income Living in Texas

Transportation and housing—typically the largest household expenses—sit substantially below national averages in numerous Texas communities. This fundamental advantage makes the Lone Star State an attractive destination for families seeking financial breathing room. By examining expenditure data from multiple authoritative sources and comparing regional costs against national benchmarks, a clear picture emerges: certain Texas cities provide the most accessible pathways to financial security for single-income earners.

The methodology employed here draws from extensive research incorporating the 50 most populous Texas cities, cost-of-living indexes from regional databases, and employment statistics. Housing valuations came from comprehensive home value databases, while expense categories—including utilities, healthcare, groceries, and transportation—were benchmarked against 2021 national expenditure averages.

The Top Tier: Three Cities Redefining Affordability

Beaumont: The Most Affordable Option

At the pinnacle of affordability sits Beaumont, where annual household expenditures reach just $32,225. What makes this city exceptional among Texas communities is its dramatically low median home price of $142,703—the lowest across all 50 surveyed cities in the state. Beyond housing, Beaumont delivers across-the-board savings: healthcare, utilities, groceries, and transportation all run below national averages. For single-income families, this means genuine financial flexibility.

Brownsville: Strong Runner-Up with Caveats

Brownsville nearly claims the top spot with total annual expenditures of $33,529. The region delivers exceptional value across most living categories. However, one significant limitation exists: median household income stands at just $43,174, the second-lowest among these affordable cities. This constraint means families must exercise careful budgeting despite the area’s low overall costs.

Wichita Falls: Transportation Savings Shine

Completing the top three, Wichita Falls demonstrates the cheapest cost of living when balancing multiple factors, with annual expenditures of $33,585. While healthcare expenses run 29.2% above the national average—the highest among the top 10—the city compensates dramatically through transportation costs that are 34.2% below national standards. Combined with moderate housing expenses, this trade-off produces genuine affordability for families prioritizing lower commute costs.

The Strong Middle Performers

Amarillo’s Dual Advantage

Amarillo offers annual expenditures of $34,804 while maintaining the second-highest average salaries ($55,174) within this group. This income advantage provides critical flexibility for covering the city’s slightly elevated healthcare expenses, while transportation costs remain 25.1% below national levels.

Abilene’s Transportation Miracle

With annual costs of $34,947, Abilene succeeds through an unusual strength: transportation expenses that run an astounding 31.5% below national averages. This partially offsets higher-than-average healthcare and utility costs, creating overall affordability that appeals to commute-conscious families.

San Angelo’s Income Edge

San Angelo stands out with the highest median household income ($55,000+) among all surveyed cities, providing residents maximum financial cushion despite elevated healthcare expenses running 21.1% above national averages.

The Accessible Five

Edinburg’s Consistent Savings

This city delivers below-average expenses across virtually every category. Groceries, transportation, and utilities run 9-12% below national standards, while healthcare—unusually for Texas—is 2.3% cheaper than the national average.

Lubbock’s Mixed Profile

Despite healthcare costs running 16% above average, Lubbock compensates with grocery expenses 8.1% below standard and transportation 26.9% cheaper than national rates.

Waco’s Challenge and Opportunity

Waco presents the highest median home price among the top 10 cities, yet still achieves top-10 status through low expenses in groceries, utilities, and transportation. The trade-off: residents accept the state’s lowest median income at $42,687.

Longview’s Middle Ground

This city sits comfortably in the middle with $53,854 average salaries and total annual expenditures of $36,328. Most basic living categories remain below national average, though median home prices ($212,697) prevent higher ranking.

Critical Considerations Beyond the Numbers

Single-income family financial planning demands examining factors beyond raw cost-of-living figures. Healthcare expenses warrant particular attention—some of these affordable Texas cities levy healthcare costs significantly above national averages. Families with chronic health conditions or young children should factor this heavily into their decision.

Housing costs require nuanced analysis. While median home prices provide a baseline, actual mortgage burdens depend on down payment capacity and credit conditions. Some communities offer exceptionally low housing costs but may feature limited employment opportunities or reduced income levels, creating a balancing act.

Employment stability and income potential deserve consideration equal to current living expenses. A city with cheap cost of living becomes less valuable if single-income earners cannot access sufficiently compensated employment.

The Verdict for Single-Income Families

Texas genuinely offers some of America’s most accessible living conditions for families operating on single income. The cheapest cost of living in Texas concentrates in specific communities—particularly Beaumont, Brownsville, and Wichita Falls—where total annual household expenditures drop below $34,000. These cities combine low housing costs, reduced transportation expenses, and moderate living costs that create genuine financial sustainability.

For families transitioning to single-income arrangements or seeking greater financial security, these Texas communities provide realistic pathways to comfort without requiring dual incomes. The data confirms what many Texas families have discovered: strategic location selection can meaningfully alter financial outcomes for households operating on constrained budgets.