9 Cheapest Places to Retire in Texas in 2023

We looked through all the data and found the 9 cheapest places to retire in Texas that are also safe and desirable. We also updated our list for 2023.

The Lone Star State offers many great affordable and secure cities, making it the perfect location for retirees living on a fixed income or on a budget.

Many of the cities that we chose on our list also feature strong job markets just in case you would like to supplement your income or pursue a new passion.

Overall, we have compiled this list based on all the latest data and statistics available on the cost of living and crime rates to save you the stress and effort of worrying about the best location to move to after your retirement. So, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Cheapest Place to Retire in Texas – Our Approach

Before we share our list of best places to retire in Texas on a budget, we wanted to share how we researched and developed our list and where our data came from so that you can be confident about making the right choice.

First, we looked at the cost of living data available through AreaVibes, which originates from The Council for Community and Economic Research.

We then compared those affordability statistics against the Texas state average to see how cheap each city actually is.

In addition, we took crime data from AreaVibes, which comes directly from the FBI’s latest update in 2023.

Finally, we only included cities with over 20,000 residents to ensure that they offer enough amenities and activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

The 9 Cheapest Places to Retire in Texas in 2023

9. El Paso

Population: 681,728
Cost of Living: 2.2% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 42.1% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

El Paso is a large metropolis that is located in the southwest part of Texas. Despite having the biggest population on this list, this city offers extremely affordable homes, with average home values of around $180,000 to $190,000, which is more than $50,000 less than the Texas state average of $247,000.

The city’s ability to maintain its small town feel for such a big place also makes it one of the best places to retire in Texas.

El Paso residents have a great sense of community and are very friendly. Additionally, the job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 36%, which is 2% above the US average. That makes it an excellent choice for retirees who might be interested in launching a new career.

El Paso also has the lowest crime rates on this list, which makes it the top cheapest place to retire in Texas in a large city.

8. Abilene

Population: 123,420
Cost of Living: 8.7% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 5.3% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

This mid-sized city is a fantastic place to live in for retirees in Texas. With average home values of about $170,000 to $180,000, friendly residents, good food, and several attractions, there’s no denying it is an excellent place to retire on a budget.

Abilene is well-known for its public parks as well as the Abilene Zoo. You could also visit the statues at Adamson Spalding Storybook Garden with your grandkids.

The city is in a quiet area in central Texas and offers a strong, community-focused appeal that makes most of its residents fall in love with it.

Abilene is also less than 3 hours away from Fort Worth, the fifth-largest city in Texas, so you could easily go for a drive and visit the big city.

7. Laredo

Population: 262,491
Cost of Living: 13.0% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 34.3% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

Laredo is one of the oldest border towns near Mexico on the Rio Grande. The city is located deep in South Texas and is one of the top inland ports in the US.

It offers nearly every amenity you would need and affordable homes that are under $200,000.

Due to its proximity to Mexico, the city has a good level of diversity with a fantastic amount of attractions as well.

Locals describe the area as a quiet environment with various locally-owned shops and friendly residents. Plus, the city offers a lot of things to do. A visit to Lake Casa Blanca International State Park and Slaughter Park should be at the top of your list.

6. McAllen

Population: 143,268
Cost of Living: 13.0% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 25.1% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

If you are searching for a quiet and family-friendly community, then McAllen might be the one for you. The city offers a true taste of small town Texas charm and is located along Mexico’s borders, which adds to the city’s diversity in food, culture, and residents.

We even named it the 10th best place to live in all of Texas for 2023.

The housing in McAllen is relatively cheap compared to the Texas average, costing less than $200,000, but it is a bit more expensive compared to others on the list.

Still, McAllen is safe. The crime rates are 25% lower than the state average, making it safer than the majority of cities in the US.

The job growth in the economy is also something to look forward to as McAllen has a predicted future job growth of 36%, which is almost 3% higher than the US average.

5. Edinburg, Texas

Population: 101,170
Cost of Living: 14.1% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 5.4% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

In recent times, Edinburg has seen remarkable job growth, but promises to see more expansion in the next ten years with a predicted growth of 41%. That is 8% higher than the US average and ensures that the city will continue to expand and evolve.

Although Edinburg is a quiet place to live in, it features several activities and attractions for people of all ages to enjoy.

Some of the top places to discover in Edinburg include the Museum of South Texas History, the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, and Freddy Gonzalez Park.

4. Mission

Population: 84,331
Cost of Living: 15.2% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 37.3% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

Here is another beautiful and lively border town on our list of the cheapest places to retire in Texas.

Mission, Texas offers a quaint community next to McAllen and Edinburg in South Texas.

It is also a safe location to live in with crime rates that are 37% lower than the Texas state average.

Mission provides its residents with so much to do, including various local shops, restaurants, and beautiful parks.

The Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and Anzalduas Park are great locations to visit while you can also take advantage of one of the many golf courses around the city.

3. San Juan

Population: 37,008
Cost of Living: 18.5% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 12.7% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

San Juan is a suburb of McAllen and is the smallest city on this list of the cheapest places to retire in Texas.

The city offers a close-knit, family-oriented community that locals say is safe and well-kept.

San Juan, Texas also has the lowest average home values on this list, with homes that cost just an average of $150,000 to $160,000.

While the city is quite small and mostly residential, it does feature a bunch of delicious, locally-owned Mexican restaurants as well as a Walmart within its city limits.

It is also just 10-15 minutes away from the larger and more vibrant McAllen, Texas. Thus, a visit to the tropical Quinta Mazatlan gardens, the McAllen Public Library, and McAllen Heritage Center are just a few minutes drive away.

2. Pharr

Population: 79,112
Cost of Living: 18.5% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 24.9% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

Pharr is a small city that is sandwiched right between McAllen and San Juan, Texas.

Residents here love it for its great food and friendly neighbors.

It’s mainly a residential area, so it is ideal for those who want a bit more space and seclusion from larger commercial areas.

Pharr also offers great weather for people who like hot and sunny climates. It features an average of 228 sunny days each year and average highs that range from 70 to 97 degrees.

The city also offers various attractions, including the Cinemark Pharr Town Center, The Axe Republic, and a Topgolf.

1. Brownsville

Population: 182,781
Cost of Living: 20.7% Below Texas Average
Crime Rate: 16.4% Below Texas Average

Location: Check on Google Maps

Brownsville tops our list as the cheapest place to retire in Texas. It offers the lowest cost of living on this list and is also pretty safe, with crime rates that are 16% below the state average.

We think that it is the best place to retire in Texas on a budget due to its affordable housing prices, which averages around $150,000 to $160,000.

Plus, the city is located close to major attractions like South Padre Island, which is just a 40 minute ride from downtown.

Of course, the city itself offers its own excellent attractions, including the Gladys Porter Zoo, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, and many more.

In addition, don’t miss the recently revitalized downtown Brownsville, which features a bustling core of great restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops.