Moving From New York to Texas: The Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to ditch your snow shovel and wool sweaters for wide open spaces and plenty of sun? You’re not alone. The number of people moving from New York to Texas has surged in recent years: Texas gained more new residents than any other state in the last census — and about 30,000 of them were from New York. Lower housing costs, a strong job market, and warmer weather are some of the reasons people are moving from New York to Texas.

Of course, for New Yorkers, the change comes with tradeoffs. Moving from New York to Texas   means giving up some of the convenience and cultural density of city life, but you’re gaining space, affordability, and year-round sun. 

Below, we take a look at the cost of living in Texas vs. New York and explore lifestyle differences. If you’re moving to Texas from NYC, you’ll find you can still enjoy the city life, as you’ll see in the highlights from the popular cities of Austin, Dallas, and Houston — along with Texas staples like BBQ, live music, and cowboy culture, and all with a lower price tag.

A Side-by-Side Comparison of New York and Texas

Should I move from New York to Texas? The answer to that question depends on what you want for your next chapter. The chart gives a brief overview of what each state offers, including the cost of living in Texas vs. New York.

Fast Facts: New York vs. Texas

Living in Texas hits different from day one. The math works in your favor thanks to lower housing costs, cheaper rent, and day-to-day expenses that don’t drain your wallet. Add in a warmer climate with plenty of sun and mild winters, and you start to see why so many people are making the move south.

Still, New Yorkers give up quite a bit, especially if you’re moving from NYC to Texas. Subways and walkable neighborhoods are replaced by freeways and parking lots. The energy of a packed city block at midnight doesn’t really exist. And while restaurants and nightlife thrive in Texas, and the cities of Houston, Austin, and Dallas have plenty to offer in the way of culture, they’re nothing like the city that never sleeps.

However, what you get in return is hard to ignore. Texas offers bigger homes, more space to breathe, and a rapidly expanding job market, especially in tech, health care, and energy related fields— where salaries often go further than in New York. For plenty of people, that makes moving from New York to Texas worth it, even if the adjustment takes a little time.

Comparing Cost of Living: Texas vs. New York

The search for a cheaper cost of living is one of the biggest reasons people head south. So is it cheaper to live in Texas or NY? Texas, by far. Housing, groceries, gas, and taxes all lean in Texas’s favor — which means most households have far more breathing room in their monthly budget. 

Here’s how the two compare:

• State taxes: New York’s state income tax rates range from 4% to 10.9%, depending on your income. Residents in NYC or Yonkers also face additional local income taxes. Meanwhile, Texas has no state income tax.

• Groceries and gas: Groceries in New York typically cost about 20% more than in Texas. Gas is also significantly cheaper in Texas.

• Utilities: Utilities in Texas can be more expensive in certain cases (especially cooling in summer), though it depends heavily on location, building efficiency, and usage.

• Rent: Average rent in New York City tops $5,000 per month, while renters in Houston or Dallas pay between $1,300 and $1,500. Even Austin, the most expensive Texas metro, only runs about $1,600 per month.

• Home prices: The median home price in New York is around $504,000 compared to about $300,000 in Texas. Buyers in Texas also get more space for the money.

Moving from New York to Texas: Top Texas Cities and their Moving Costs

How much does it cost to move from New York to Texas? On average, a long-distance move from New York to Texas costs between $1,850 and $3,750 for a two-bedroom home and between $1,986 to $3,900 for a three-bedroom home. 

Of course, the final price depends on where in New York you’re moving from, which Texas city you’re headed to, the time of year, and how much you’re bringing with you.

Moving from NYC to Austin

• Estimated moving costs: $1,850 to $3,750 for 1–2 BR

• Cost of living in Austin: About 39% lower than New York City overall

• Why we love Austin: Live music on weeknights, trails and swimming holes minutes from downtown, and a food scene built on barbecue, tacos, and inventive chefs

If you love the culture of the city, moving from NYC to Austin, TX, might be a good choice for you. Located in Central Texas, Austin is both the state capital and its cultural hub. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” the city bounces with concerts, festivals, and a creative spirit that has attracted transplants from across the country, including New York City.

Events such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits attract global crowds, while the local food scene — think barbecue and breakfast tacos — keeps people excited year-round. And for outdoor lovers there’s  no shortage of options. Moving to Austin, TX, means you can paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake, hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt, or swim at Barton Springs.

Plus, did you know the largest urban bat colony in North America lives under the Congress Avenue Bridge? Every summer night, thousands of bats fly out at dusk, drawing crowds along the river. 

Moving from NYC to Houston

• Estimated moving costs: $1,690 to $3,350 for 1–2 BR

• Cost of living in Houston: Roughly 40% lower than New York City

• Why we love Houston: A diverse food scene, world-class museums, professional sports, and access to the Gulf Coast

Moving from NYC to Houston puts you in Southeast Texas, the state’s largest city, and one of the most diverse places in the country. Houston has more than 13,000 restaurants, featuring cuisines from around the world. Plus, its cultural institutions — from the Museum District to the Houston Symphony — rival those in much bigger cities.

Outdoor options include bayou trails and expansive parks, and Galveston Island is just a short drive away. Just like New York, Houston has plenty of professional sports for fans to follow, with the Astros, Texans, and Rockets all calling Houston home.

If the summer’s heat is hard for a New York native to adjust to, Houston has an underground tunnel system spanning more than six miles. It connects office towers and shops downtown in air-conditioned comfort.

Moving From NYC to Dallas

• Estimated moving costs: $1,690 to $3,350 for 1–2BR

• Cost of living in Dallas: About 36% lower than New York City

• Why we love Dallas: A mix of big-city businesses, a thriving arts district, professional sports, and easy access to weekend getaways across North Texas

Moving from NYC to Dallas puts you in North Texas in a city known for its blend of finance, tech, and culture. Dallas has one of the largest urban arts districts in the United States, with theaters, museums, and music venues clustered together downtown. 

New York sports fans know Dallas is home to major sports franchises. In addition to the NFL’s Cowboys, you can also catch Mavericks, Stars, and Rangers games.

New York City residents will find day-to-day life feels different in Dallas. Wide highways replace crowded subways, and a much lower cost of living helps make larger living spaces in and around the city more attainable. Outdoor time often revolves around nearby lakes, golf courses, and the city’s expanding trail network.

And here’s a fun fact: Dallas is where the frozen margarita machine was invented in 1971. Not surprising, considering that blazing Texas sun.

Moving From NYC to Texas: Moving Options

Planning a long-distance move entails more than just deciding on the right neighborhood — you also need to figure out how to get all of your belongings to a new home. For most people moving from NYC to Texas, the choice comes down how much of the work you want to take on yourself.

Whether you opt for a do-it-yourself move with a rental truck or you choose to hire full-service movers, each option has tradeoffs for many families moving from New York to Texas.

DIY with a rental truck

Renting a moving truck puts you in charge of every step: Packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking. This is the most budget-friendly option on paper, but it comes with challenges. 

Driving a large truck more than 1,700 miles — on busy interstates for multiple days — is stressful, and you’re fully responsible for protecting your belongings along the way.

Pros:

• Lower up-front cost compared to full-service movers

• Flexibility with timing and route

• Full control over how your belongings are packed and transported

Cons:

• More effort — you do all the packing, lifting, and driving

• Higher risk of damage without professional packing and loading

• Extra costs including fuel, lodging, and tolls

• Stress of driving a rental truck through unfamiliar cities and highways

Hiring full-service movers

Full-service movers handle nearly every part of the relocation. They pack and load your belongings, transport them safely across the country, and unload them at your new home. 

Many companies also provide insurance, as well as additional services such as storage and specialty item handling. Quite simply, you have less to worry about during an already stressful transition.

Pros:

• Reduced risk of damage due to professional packing and loading

• No need to drive a large truck across 1,700+ miles of highways

• Time savings, as movers can complete the job much faster than most households on their own

• Insurance and damage coverage for added peace of mind

• Add-on services, including storage and furniture assembly, available

Cons:

• More expensive than DIY moves

• Less flexibility on timing once the moving date is booked

For most long-distance relocations, the benefits of using full-service movers outweigh the drawbacks. The peace of mind that comes with expert handling, damage protection, and avoiding the stress of a cross-country drive makes this option especially attractive for anyone relocating from NYC to Texas.

Getting Started on Your New York to Texas Move

Relocating from New York to Texas brings major changes, but also big opportunities. Lower costs, more space, and fast-growing cities make the Lone Star State an appealing choice for many New Yorkers ready for something new.

If you’re planning your own long-distance relocation, trust the experts who have helped thousands of families make the move. Colonial Van Lines has more than 50 years of experience handling complex, cross-country moves with care and precision. See how simple your move from New York to Texas can be. Get your free quote today!