Tool
Where Your Money Buys The Most Life
The same monthly budget behaves very differently in fifteen places. Compare cost of living, median home price, and property tax side by side before you narrow your list.
Monthly savings in Temple, TX
$1,147
Equivalent monthly budget
$5,353
Median home price freed
$280,000
Annual property tax savings
$5,320
Cost-of-living indexes and median prices are directional planning figures, not appraisals. Use them to narrow a list of towns, then verify locally.
Reference table
Fifteen Cities At A Glance
Directional planning figures for cities our clients ask about most. Property tax rates are typical effective rates including all local districts.
| City | Cost of living index | Median home price | Property tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 102 | $545,000 | 1.90% |
| Georgetown, TX | 96 | $425,000 | 1.95% |
| Round Rock, TX | 95 | $415,000 | 1.95% |
| Belton, TX | 86 | $289,000 | 1.85% |
| Temple, TX | 84 | $265,000 | 1.90% |
| Salado, TX | 93 | $425,000 | 1.70% |
| Killeen, TX | 79 | $235,000 | 2.00% |
| Waco, TX | 87 | $275,000 | 2.00% |
| New Braunfels, TX | 95 | $395,000 | 1.75% |
| Dallas, TX | 101 | $425,000 | 2.10% |
| Denver, CO | 122 | $585,000 | 0.50% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 106 | $445,000 | 0.60% |
| Nashville, TN | 105 | $465,000 | 0.70% |
| San Diego, CA | 149 | $925,000 | 0.75% |
| Chicago, IL | 108 | $345,000 | 2.10% |
Questions
Comparing Places Honestly
What is the cheapest place to retire in Texas?
Among mid-size Central Texas cities, Killeen and Temple consistently post the lowest combination of median home price and cost of living, with Belton close behind and better lake access. The cheapest option is rarely the best one — weigh healthcare access and walkability alongside price.
How much cheaper is Texas than California for retirees?
Texas has no state income tax and dramatically lower median home prices, but higher property tax rates. For most retirees moving from coastal California, the housing equity difference dominates: the same lifestyle often costs 30–40% less per month.
How should I compare two cities before downsizing?
Compare four things, in order: monthly carrying cost of a home you would actually buy, drive time to the healthcare you use, distance to the people you love, and whether you can walk to coffee. Price alone predicts almost nothing about how a place will feel.
Your next chapter
Narrow The List To Three Towns
Schedule your Right Size Strategy Session and we'll map your equity, your timeline, and the life you want on the other side of it.