Retirement Retired Life

11 Biggest Reasons So Many Retirees Say They Regret Moving to Texas

The Lone Star State delivers a mixed bag of high property taxes, crushing heat, and subpar health care rankings.

By Chris Lewis, CEPF , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated May 21, 2026

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Texas has long been a popular retirement destination: no state income tax, relatively affordable housing, booming art scenes like Austin, and winters that don't involve shoveling snow off your driveway at 6 a.m.

But for a growing number of retirees, the reality has been more complicated. Many transplants lament the hidden costs, punishing summers, and infrastructure challenges that make their retirement plan far from stress-free.

The following surprises have become recurring complaints among retirees who relocated to the Lone Star State.

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Property taxes can wipe out the income tax savings

Texas has no state income tax, which sounds fantastic on paper. The problem is that Texas makes up for that shortfall elsewhere.

According to the Tax Foundation, Texas homeowners pay the nation's seventh-highest property taxes across all fifty states, with the average homeowner shelling out $4,790, according to research by Rocket Mortgage.

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Homeowner insurance costs have surged

Many retirees move to Texas expecting lower living costs, only to get blindsided by insurance premiums.

The average annual cost of homeowner insurance in Texas reached roughly $3,875 in 2023, more than double the national average, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

State regulators also reported average premiums above $3,200 in 2024, while some private estimates place 2025 averages closer to $5,000 annually in high-risk areas.

The summer heat is more intense than many expected

Retirees often yearn for "warm weather" in the form of breezy, sunny days and mild winters. Texas delivers something closer to endurance training.

Many regions now experience prolonged stretches of triple-digit temperatures, dangerous heat indexes, and brutal humidity. Even longtime Texans complain about increasingly oppressive summers, particularly in South Texas and major metro areas.

Experts predict the state will reach heat index temperatures of 125 degrees within the next 30 years, and residents will see more days with a heat index of over 100 than in 46 other states.

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Brittle infrastructure

Winter Storm Uri in 2021 revealed cracks in Texas infrastructure and permanently altered how many Americans view the state's ability to adapt to severe hot or cold weather.

The 9-day freeze sowed havoc across the entire state, causing power failures, burst pipes, water shortages, and a death toll of over 200 Texans.

Many retirees, especially those with limited mobility and complex mobility needs, simply cannot cope with prolonged power outages during weather extremes.

Texas experiences a high number of power outages

Grid concerns extend far beyond winter freezes and heat waves.

Generac recently ranked Texas among the states with the highest rates of power outages in the country. With hurricanes, heat waves, thunderstorms, and (high usage) grid strain, blackouts are more common here than in other states. Both reliability and affordability of utilities are major issues.

Public transportation can become a problem later in life

Many retirees don't think much about public transit while they're healthy and actively driving.

But aging changes that equation. Much of Texas is car-dependent. While several metro areas have public transportation infrastructure, it lags behind the consistency and reliability you'll find in older Northeastern cities.

As you age, routine errands and medical appointments become harder to manage without driving.

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Health care access can be frustrating

Texas consistently ranks poorly on health care access and availability metrics.

America's Health Rankings placed Texas 40th nationally in its 2025 healthcare rankings, noting some regions struggle with shortages of primary care doctors.

Retirees moving from states with denser health care systems sometimes report long waits and fewer provider options.

The political and cultural adjustment can feel bigger than expected

Some retirees underestimate how culturally different Texas can feel from where they came from.

For retirees relocating from more liberal-leaning states, the political climate, social attitudes, and strong religious culture can create adjustment challenges.

Parts of Texas remain deeply influenced by Bible Belt culture, which can be isolating to non-churchgoing newcomers.

High sales taxes

Even retirees who avoid large property tax bills may still get walloped with higher tax rates.

Texas has a statewide sales tax rate of 6.25%, but local taxes often push combined rates substantially higher. The Tax Foundation ranks Texas 14th nationally for combined state and local sales tax burdens.

Crime statistics surprise some retirees

Texas has a reputation for suburban comfort and booming master-planned communities, but statewide crime statistics still surprise some newcomers.

According to data from the FBI, Texas is ranked 16th among states for violent crime rates. On a per-capita basis, Texas has more violent crime than New York.

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High rates of poverty

Texas has enormous wealth in certain regions, but it also has persistently high poverty rates.

Federal data ranks Texas among the poorest states when measured by poverty rates. Retirees sometimes discover that rapid growth has created sharp divides between booming affluent communities and struggling areas with strained infrastructure and public services.

Bottom line

Despite its setbacks, Texas is a coveted retirement destination for many retirees. High-income seniors living in well-resourced areas can absolutely make the transition work and meet their social and financial retirement goals.

However, recent-year trends of higher property taxes, soaring insurance premiums, and declining medical access are unlikely to reverse course.

While Texas has made tremendous strides in improving its energy grid resilience since the 2021 storm, these updates may not be able to keep pace with growing weather extremes.

These challenges explain why relocation regret is common. Even so, Texas may remain your slice of paradise – just don't expect to save money in retirement.

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