Although Texas has a large rural population, the majority of Texans live in urban areas (or metropolitan statistical areas). In 2010, 84.7 percent of the Texas population lived in urban areas, and 75.4 percent lived in urban areas with 50,000 or more people.

We have all heard that Texas is becoming an urban state, which is not always easy to believe if you have ever driven through some parts of the state, particularly in West Texas. But, Texas has three of the top 10 most populous cities in the country (Houston, San Antonio and Dallas) and 69 of the top 780 cities.

Texas covers 261,797 square miles, with a 2019 estimated population of 28,995,881 people – 3,075,261 living in rural Texas (USDA-ERS). It ranks second among U.S. states in both area and population. Austin, the capital, is located in the south-central region of the state.

15 percent

Today, the state’s population is approximately 85% urban. Meanwhile, the working agricultural lands of Texas (farms and ranches) count for over 80% of our state’s land mass. Alarmingly, those lands are owned by less than 1% of our population.

The state also has a strong military presence, boosted by increased defense spending after 9/11. Many businesses are relocating to Texas because of the high number of university graduates. Many Dallas movers say they are moving not just for more employment opportunities but also for higher wages.

Many of the famous people who live in Texas reside in Dallas, Houston, or Austin. One of the famous actors from Texas is Matthew McConaughey.

Why are houses cheaper in Texas? There is a vast amount of buildable land in Texas, making the houses much cheaper than in other states. Combined with the low cost of living in Texas, this makes houses more affordable in Texas.

Safest Cities in Texas, 2019

Florida offers pretty good living costs, but Texas is the clear winner with a cost of living index of only 93.9 (lower than the national average of 100) versus a cost of living index of 102.8 in the Sunshine State. Want to buy a home? The median list price in Texas is only $274,500 (compared to $300,000 in Florida).

Here are the 10 best places to live in Texas:

• Austin.
• Dallas-Fort Worth.
• Houston.
• San Antonio.
• Killeen.
• Corpus Christi.
• Beaumont.
• El Paso.

Texas has a violent crime rate of 410.9 per 100,000 people. California has a crime rate of 447.4 per 100,000 people. Texas is statistically safer than California overall. Violent and property crimes in Dallas totaled out to a yearly 55,591 and is 7% safer than most U.S. Cities.

These are the safest states in the U.S.:

• Rhode Island. Population: 1.06 million.
• Massachusetts. Population: 6.89 million.
• Vermont. Population: 623,989.
• Connecticut. Population: 3.57 million.
• New Jersey. Population: 8.88 million.
• Idaho. Population: 1.79 million.
• New Hampshire. Population: 1.36 million.
• Maine. Population: 1.34 million.

Texas lies in the middle of U.S. states in terms of safety, having the 30th lowest property crime rate — and 35th lowest violent crime rate. However, Texas’ violent crime rate is elevated by higher crime rates in its largest cities.

• Oklahoma.
• Arizona. Violent crimes per capita: 474.90.
• Tennessee. Violent crimes per capita: 623.70.
• Alabama. Violent crimes per capita: 519.60.
• Arkansas. Violent crimes per capita: 543.60.
• Louisiana. Violent crimes per capita: 537.5.
• Alaska. Violent crimes per capita: 885.00.
• New Mexico. Violent crimes per capita: 856.60.

These Are the Laziest States in the U.S.

• Rhode Island. Shutterstock.
• Michigan. iStock.
• Ohio. Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.
• Connecticut. Shutterstock. Total score: 37.51.
• New York. iStock. Total score: 39.03.
• Oregon. iStock. Total score: 39.05.
• Mississippi. iStock. Total score: 39.37.
• Arizona. Sean Pavone / iStock. Total score: 40.04.

Mississippi