Buying a House in Texas from Out of State

“I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.”
~ Joe Nick Patoski, writer, director, & Texas historian

There’s something special about Texas. Folks of all ages and backgrounds love living here, and people are proud to call the Lone Star State their own – whether they were born here or not. People from all over the United States, and the world, for that matter, want a little piece of it for themselves. That’s why so many out-of-towners have come here in recent years intent on buying a new home in Texas.

Americans are on the move across the country – especially to Texas – and to Hillwood Communities! According to the US Census Bureau, Texas experienced the second highest net domestic migration gain for 2022, gaining 230,961 new residents. This amounts to a 1.6% increase in the state’s population in just one year.

Migration to Texas from Other States

Texas has enjoyed incredible population growth for some time now. The Associated Press reports that the state’s population has grown 16.4% since the 2010 census. And the U.S. Census Bureau data from the Texas Relocation Report reveals that in 2019, more than 500,000 people relocated to Texas, making it the 7th consecutive year in which the state gained half a million or more new residents.

Data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, derived from applications for new driver’s licenses from 2018 – 2021, reveals that California sent more new residents to the Lone Star State (161,456) than any other during the period, with Florida contributing the second most (68,121). Other states with large numbers of residents relocating to Texas include Illinois, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, Oklahoma, Georgia, Virginia, New Mexico, and Missouri, with each losing between 20,000 and 42,000 residents.

Greater Austin and the DFW Metroplex were huge beneficiaries of the migration to Texas from other states, particularly California. Collin, Denton, and Williamson counties were among the top ten most popular places to live among those moving to Texas from California and Florida from 2018-2021.

Denton County

Denton County, home of three Hillwood Communities – Union Park in Little Elm, Pecan Square in Northlake, and Harvest in Northlake/Argyle – is a popular choice for those moving to Texas from Florida and Illinois. Since 2010, Denton County’s population has increased by 47.8%.

Brazoria County

Brazoria County, home of our two communities Pomona and Valencia in Manvel, is a destination for many relocating Americans, with more than 8,400 moving there from other states between 2018-2021. Brazoria county is one of the most popular choices among those relocating to Texas from Florida.

Williamson County

Williamson County, home of hill country communities like our very own Wolf Ranch in Georgetown, is the preferred destination for many folks relocating to Texas from Florida, California, and Illinois. From 2018-2021, more than 11,000 Californians, 2,400 Floridians, and 1,800 Illinoisans moved to Williamson County.

Moving to Texas from Out of State

Wonder why people are moving from California to Texas? Texas has a robust economy, plenty of jobs, a reasonable cost of living, and no state income tax. This is a big part of why so many corporations, like Tesla, the PGA, Chevron, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and Caterpillar have chosen to build headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Texas, some relocating here from California.

California vs. Texas

Consumers find living in Texas much more affordable than California. According to Forbes, the cost of living in California is 50% higher than the national average, while the cost to live in Texas is about 10% less than the national average. For example, the average home price in the DFW area is 42% lower than the average home in Los Angeles County. Of course, your cost of living and your housing costs will vary depending on where you end up buying a new home in Texas. But generally speaking, your housing dollar will go much farther in Texas than it will in California.

Texas offers plentiful job opportunities, friendly people, a booming economy, mild weather, good schools, and affordable new construction homes in amenity-packed communities. It’s easy to see why so many Californians are moving here.

Florida vs. Texas

While Florida is a nice place to visit, many people are deciding that they no longer want to live there, and are moving to Texas instead. Here in Texas, Floridians can still avoid a state income tax and find plentiful job opportunities. But Florida transplants will find Texas to be substantially more affordable.

Florida’s overall cost of living index is 100.3, which is just above the national average. Texas’s overall cost of living index is 92.1, about 8 points lower than the average. Florida’s cost index for housing is 99, while the cost index for housing in Texas is 83.8. That means your housing dollar goes much farther in Texas, on average, than it will in the Sunshine State. More affordable housing is a big reason people are moving to Texas from Florida in droves.

Texas also appeals to Floridians who like warm weather but want to minimize their exposure to hurricanes. Hurricanes strike Florida more than any other state. In fact, in the last 170 years, there have only been 15 seasons where the state has not been hit by a hurricane. Floridians seeking natural beauty with more predictable weather may prefer the central Texas region. Wolf Ranch by Hillwood offers gorgeous scenery of the Hill Country with a mild, predictable climate year round.

Florida transplants who want to live in Texas but love the beach may want to consider the greater Houston area. Pomona by Hillwood, on Mustang Bayou in Manvel, offers new construction homes just 20 miles from downtown Houston and 50 minutes from Galveston Island.

Bird's eye view of Pomona in Manvel, Texas

Buying a New Home in Texas? Explore Hillwood’s Lifestyle Communities in Texas

Whether you’ve decided to make your move from another state to Texas, or you’re still just dreaming about it, take a look at Hillwood Communities where so many satisfied residents call home. We’ve got affordable new construction homes in thriving communities in some of the best locations in Texas.

Browse through your options, select a lifestyle community, then view available homes, homesites, and home designs online! And don’t forget to take a look at the amazing collection of amenities each community offers as well. Fall in love with a Hillwood community in Texas today.

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