Best Places to Retire in Texas
Texas gives retirees one of the widest county and metro choice sets in the country. The real decision is not just Texas versus somewhere else, but which part of Texas best matches your budget, healthcare priorities, climate tolerance, and comfort with broad risk exposure.
Texas retirement snapshot
Best counties to retire in Texas
#1 Bexar County, Texas
Overall Retirement Score: 71
Bexar County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize affordability, healthcare access, and big-city practicality, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize milder summers or a lower-risk profile.
#2 Travis County, Texas
Overall Retirement Score: 69
Travis County is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize healthcare access, amenities, and an active metro environment, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize lower housing costs or milder summers.
#3 Comal County, Texas
Overall Retirement Score: 70
Comal County, Texas adds another viable in-state option for retirees prioritizing balance, value, and a region-specific lifestyle fit.
Best metros to retire in Texas
#1 San Antonio, Texas Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 72
San Antonio is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize affordability relative to other large metros, healthcare access, and milder winters, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize cooler summers or a very low-risk profile.
#2 Austin, Texas Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 70
Austin is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize amenities, healthcare access, and an active metro lifestyle, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize lower housing costs or milder summers.
#3 Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 66
Houston Metro is a stronger fit for retirees who prioritize healthcare depth and major-market convenience, but it is less appealing for those who prioritize lower risk, cleaner air, or milder summers.
#4 Abilene, Texas Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 70
Abilene, Texas Metro adds another metro-level option for users comparing affordability, healthcare access, and livability within the state and region.
Best places in Texas by priority
Most affordable
Bexar County, Texas is one of the stronger affordability options in Texas, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for healthcare
Austin, Texas Metro is one of the stronger healthcare-access options in Texas, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for mild weather
Bexar County, Texas is one of the stronger mild-weather options in Texas, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Lowest risk
Travis County, Texas is one of the stronger lower-risk options in Texas, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for clean air
San Antonio, Texas Metro is one of the stronger clean-air options in Texas, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Best for fixed income
San Antonio, Texas Metro is one of the stronger fixed-income options in Texas, though other tradeoffs still matter.
Compare retirement options in Texas
See how two counties or metros in Texas compare for affordability, healthcare, climate, air quality, and risk.
Compare PlacesExplore retirement profiles in Texas
How to use the Texas page
Use this page to narrow Texas into a shorter county and metro list, then use compare pages when you are deciding between two realistic options. The overall score helps you spot strong candidates, but the category scores explain why a place works or does not.
Related retirement rankings
Best Places to Retire
Best Affordable Places to Retire
Best Places to Retire for Healthcare
Best Retirement Counties
Best Retirement Metros
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places to retire in Texas?
The county and metro options for Texas appear above with category scores and links to compare related places.
What are the biggest retirement tradeoffs in Texas?
The biggest tradeoffs depend on the part of the state you are comparing, especially around cost, climate, healthcare access, and risk.