As Americans look for affordable places to live, Texas’ small cities are gaining national attention. Now, a new study shows the Lone Star State leads the nation in fast-growing communities where residents still have money left after paying for housing and daily expenses.
Texas places 11 cities on its list of the nation’s 50 fastest-growing and least expensive cities, more than any other state, according to a new study from MoneyLion. The study reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019, 2023 and 2024 American Community Surveys to measure population growth, income levels and housing costs.
To qualify for the rankings, cities need to have at least 100,000 residents, one- and five-year population growth above the national average, and average mortgage or rental costs below the national average. The researchers then compared each city’s median household income to the total annual cost of living to estimate how much money homeowners and renters have left after major expenses.
New Braunfels ranked second overall, with a five-year population growth rate of 31.7 percent and a median household income of $86,021. After estimating homeowner costs of $45,672, residents may be left with approximately $40,349 per year.
The fast-growing Hill Country town, located between San Antonio and Austin, has received a lot of attention for its rapid growth and development. In 2025, the San Antonio suburbs ranked as the second-largest zip code in the United States for people to move to. This Hill Country favorite also received statewide attention at the 2025 Texas Tourism Awards, winning multiple awards for its unique lifestyle and numerous attractions rooted in history and culture in this German town.
North Texas dominates the list, with Frisco ranked No. 1 nationally. The city’s population has grown 23.9% in five years, and the median household income is $150,212. With annual living expenses estimated at $66,499, the homeowner may be left with approximately $83,713 per year. Research shows renters in the city may have more than $104,000 left over each year.
Another North Texas city, McKinney, ranked fourth with a population growth rate of 15.7% and a median household income of $124,215, leaving homeowners with an estimated residual income of $68,963 after housing and living costs.
Other Texas cities in the top 10 include Allen at No. 6, League City at No. 9 and Conroe at No. 10.
A total of 11 Texas cities made the list: Frisco, New Braunfels, McKinney, Allen, League City, Conroe, Lewisville, Pearland, Denton, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie. Florida ranks second behind Texas with seven cities on the list.
This article was originally published on This booming Texas town ranks second in the U.S. for growth and affordability.
