Looking to retire in Texas? These counties are the best in the state, says one study
If you are looking for a place to retire, Texas has a lot of options.
Based on a recent study done by MSN, eight Texas counties made the list of the best 50 places to retire in the U.S. The ranking was determined by Stacker’s analysis of Niche’s 2022 U.S. Census and Bureau data. Out of 3,000 U.S. counties, the study highlights median home value, median rent and median household income.
“Anyone planning retirement may decide they want to live in the place they vacation every year, or that little town they found during their last cruise,” the MSN study said. “They may choose to live where their grandchildren are, or where they can enjoy the activities they couldn’t when they were working.”
The study ranked Sarasota, Fla. as the best place to retire because “it offers everything a modern retiree is seeking: Shopping, golfing, hiking, beaches, and arts and culture.”
Only two North Texas counties made the list: Wood County at No. 25 and Hood County at No. 35. Wood County is 138 miles east of Tarrant County while Hood County is 45 miles southwest.
Here’s a look at the full MSN list and why these counties were recognized.
Best places to retire in Texas
Texas is a large state, with 254 counties overall, so you can imagine it’s hard to narrow down which ones are the best. Based on weather, entertainment and cost of living, these Texas spots are retirement-friendly, according to the MSN study.
No. 17: Brewster County: Located in west Texas, this county is Texas’ largest by area, with a small population of 9,501.
Median home value: $181,700 (60% own)
Median rent: $728 (40% rent)
Median household income: $48,679
No. 25: Wood County: Located in North Texas west of Dallas, this county has a population of 44,165.
“Popular cities for retirees in Wood County are Mineola and Winnsboro. Both are diverse, small towns with supportive communities where you find a mix of new families and retirees.” according to the MSN study.
Median home value: $153,900 (82% own)
Median rent: $833 (18% rent)
Median household income: $58,418
No. 26: Sabine County: A GoTexan Certified Retirement Community (which means that the state has confirmed that this community meets the living needs of its residents). Sabine County is located in east Texas with a quaint 9,974 population.
Median home value: $114,300 (86% own)
Median rent: $686 (14% rent)
Median household income: $41,308
No. 32: Llano County: Located in Central Texas near Austin and is known as the deer and bluebonnet capital of the state. Its nature-filled landscape has a population of 21,246.
Median home value: $246,600 (79% own)
Median rent: $896 (21% rent)
Median household income: $62,839
No. 35: Hood County: Just west of Tarrant County sits Hood County, with a population of 60,521. Popular town Granbury is a popular town with retirees and has a 30% senior population.
Median home value: $219,300 (80% own)
Median rent: $1,105 (20% rent)
Median household income: $75,851
No. 38: Aransas County: This county is located on Texas’ coast with Corpus Christi and Rockport as resident and visitor attractions. The population is 24,149.
Median home value: $184,900 (79% own)
Median rent: $914 (21% rent)
Median household income: $51,509
No. 47: Bandera County: Located northwest of San Antonio and known as “The Cowboy Capital of the World.” This sprawl of land perfect for ranches has a population of 20,839.
Median home value: $220,200 (88% own)
Median rent: $963 (12% rent)
Median household income: $64,495
No. 50: Kerr County: Also located near San Antonio, this Texas county is the capital of Texas Hill Country. Its population is 52,411.
Median home value: $212,300 (68% own)
Median rent: $985 (32% rent)
Median household income: $62,204