Relocation guide
Moving to North Texas? I've already made the move.
I relocated to North Texas myself, so I know the questions you're sitting with right now. Let me walk you through it: what it costs, how property taxes really work, which counties fit which budgets, and how to buy a home here before you ever change your address.
Why people are moving here
What's pulling families to North Texas
The reasons people give me are pretty consistent: no state income tax, more house for the money than the coasts, big employers moving in, and room to put down roots. If you're coming from California, New York, or Florida, you've probably already decided Texas makes sense. The harder question is which town actually fits your life, and what it costs once you're here. That's where I come in.
The real numbers
Is it cheaper to live in Texas?
For most families, yes on the two that matter most for your budget: income tax and home price. Property taxes run higher here, though, so the number that actually matters is your all-in monthly cost. The rough picture looks like this, and I'll run your exact figures before you settle on a town.
| North Texas | California | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Typical home price* | ~$340K | ~$770K |
| Effective property-tax rate* | ~1.6–1.9% | ~0.7% |
| Avg. gas (per gallon)* | Lower | Higher |
*Approximate, for general comparison only; figures change year to year. Sources: NAR, Texas Comptroller. Coming from New York or Florida? The income-tax and price gaps look different, so ask me for your origin state.
Property taxes, explained
Texas property taxes, and how I help you lower them
Most guides will tell you Texas property taxes are high and leave it there. Most people forget to do these two things and end up paying more than they have to:
- File your homestead exemption. On your primary residence it lowers your taxable value. The deadline is April 30, and plenty of people forget and overpay for years.
- Protest your appraisal. If the county's value comes in high, you can protest it (generally by May 15, or 30 days after your notice). Protests are won with evidence, and pulling the comparable sales is exactly what I do for my clients.
I'm a REALTOR®, not a tax advisor or attorney, so for filing specifics I'll bring in the right professional. Details: homestead exemption · protest process.
Worth knowing up front
What to know before you move
- Summers are hot. Expect stretches over 100°F. Winters are mild and short.
- You'll need a car. North Texas is spread out, and public transit is limited outside the urban core.
- Storm season is real. Spring brings hail and the occasional tornado warning. Homes are built for it, but it's good to know going in.
- Growth means traffic, and opportunity. The fast-growing corridors are a big reason home values keep climbing, so getting into the right area early matters.
Where to live
North Texas by county
A quick lay of the land across my service area. Every family weighs commute, budget, schools, and lifestyle differently, so treat this as a starting map and we'll narrow it down together.
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Collin County
Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Celina. The fastest-growing suburbs, master-planned communities, and newer construction.
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Denton County
Denton, Little Elm, Aubrey, Pilot Point. A mix of college town, lake living, and growing small towns.
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Rockwall County
Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royse City. Lakeside living on Lake Ray Hubbard, just east of Dallas.
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Dallas County
Dallas and the inner suburbs. The urban core, established neighborhoods, and the widest price range.
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Grayson County
Sherman, Denison, Van Alstyne. North toward the Red River, lower density, and a major semiconductor growth corridor.
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Hunt & Fannin Counties
Greenville, Caddo Mills, Bonham. Rural and small-town North Texas, acreage, and farm-and-ranch land.
Want the schools, commute times and price ranges for a specific town? See areas served or just ask me.
Buying from out of state
How to buy a home here before you arrive
Most of my relocating clients are under contract before they ever change their address. A remote purchase can feel just as safe as buying down the street when it's handled right:
- Live video walkthroughs of every home on your list. I'm your eyes on the ground.
- I attend inspections and the appraisal for you and send everything over.
- Remote online notarization so you can sign from your current state.
- A focused two or three day scouting trip when you're ready. I plan it so you see the right homes and neighborhoods in person, not a random tour.
Veterans & military
Relocating on a VA loan or a PCS move
I'm from a military family, and I represent VA buyers as someone who actually understands the loan: PCS timelines, the VA appraisal, zero down payment, and the Texas property-tax exemptions available to veterans and disabled veterans. If you're PCSing to a North Texas base or relocating after service, I know how to keep the move smooth.
Read my VA buyer guide →Go deeper
More guides for your move
- What your West-Coast equity buys here → See how far your Seattle or California home equity goes in North Texas.
- Buying new construction → Why you need your own agent in the model home, and the first-visit rule.
- First-time buyer guide → The steps, the down-payment-assistance programs, and the mistakes to avoid.
- Property-tax protest → How I help you file your homestead exemption and protest your appraisal.
First 90 days
Your new-Texan checklist
- Register your vehicle within 30 days of moving
- Get your Texas driver license within 90 days
- Emissions inspection (required in most North Texas counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, Tarrant)
- Set up electricity (most of Texas is a deregulated market, so you choose your provider)
- File your homestead exemption on your new primary home (by April 30) to lower your property taxes
- Update voter registration and minimum auto insurance to Texas requirements
Sources & forms: TxDMV (New to Texas) · Texas DPS driver license.
Common questions
Relocation FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in North Texas than California or New York?
For most households, yes on the big two: there's no state income tax, and home prices sit well below coastal California and metro New York. The catch is higher property-tax rates, so the real comparison is your all-in monthly cost, not just the sticker price. I'll run your actual numbers before you commit to a town.
How long do I have to register my car and get a Texas license after moving?
Register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency, and get your Texas driver license within 90 days. Most North Texas counties also require an annual emissions inspection.
How do I lower my property taxes after I move to Texas?
Two things. File your homestead exemption on your primary residence (deadline April 30), and protest your county appraisal if it comes in high (generally by May 15, or 30 days after your notice). I help my clients pull the comparable sales to build that protest, which is one of the most overlooked ways new Texans overpay. I'm a REALTOR®, not a tax advisor, so I'll bring in the right professional for the filing specifics.
Can I buy a home in North Texas from out of state, before I move?
Yes, most of my relocating clients do. I run live video walkthroughs, attend inspections for you, coordinate remote online notarization, and plan a focused two or three day scouting trip so you see the right homes in person. You can be under contract before you ever change your address.
Do you help veterans and military families relocating to North Texas?
Absolutely. I'm from a military family and know the VA process: PCS timelines, the VA appraisal, zero down payment, and the Texas property-tax exemptions available to veterans.
Which North Texas areas do you serve?
Collin, Denton, Grayson, Hunt, Fannin, Dallas and Rockwall counties. That covers Plano, McKinney and Frisco through Sherman, Rockwall and the rural communities beyond.
Let's map your move
Planning a move to North Texas?
Tell me where you're coming from and roughly when, and I'll put together a relocation plan around it: the towns worth a look, real cost numbers, and a home search that fits your timeline. No pressure, no obligation.