Say Howdy to 13 of the Best Small Towns in Texas

Texas is known for its wide open spaces, amazing barbecue, and cowboy culture. With over 261,000 square miles, there’s lots of room to explore and find a place to call your own in the Lone Star State. We’ve all heard of the big Texas cities — Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin (to name a few) — and there are definitely perks to living in a big city. But there are also lots of good things about living in the best small towns, in Texas and elsewhere — from a sense of community to a lower cost of living and more.

Planning a move to The Lone Star State? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

Big Texas Cities vs. the Best Small Towns in Texas

Choosing to live in a bigger, well-known city in Texas can offer a wonderful array of amenities, including a variety of housing options (for homeowners and renters), access to jobs in different industries, and cultural accommodations like world-class restaurants, sports teams, live entertainment, and museums. On the flip side, life in a big city often comes with a higher cost of living, expensive housing, excessive traffic, and increased crime rates. Depending on what you’re looking for, this trade off could be worth it — but maybe not.

Small-town life in Texas has pros of its own. Here are just a few of the reasons why millions of Texans choose life in a small town:

• The best small towns in Texas come with a more affordable cost of living compared to cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas.
• Small towns are located all across the state. Whether you want to live near the Gulf of Mexico, in the Texas Hill Country, or out in the desert, there’s a small town in Texas to meet your needs.
• There’s a strong community bond that comes with living in a small town, and you don’t often get that in the big city.
• Small towns are ideal for families, retirees, and younger people just starting out.
• There’s much less traffic in small towns and rural communities.

Before we get into the nitty gritty of which small towns are the best in Texas, let’s answer some common questions on the subject.

Small Towns in Texas — FAQs

Q: What is the nicest place to live in Texas?
A: According to U.S. News & World Report, Austin is the best place to live in Texas. Austin definitely isn’t a small town, of course, but there are plenty of small towns around Austin worth checking out if you want to have access to the big city without giving up the small-town life. For starters, check out Dripping Springs and Wimberley — each considered the nicest place in the Lone Star state by happy residents. 

Q: What is the best rural place to live in Texas?
A: A great rural area to live is Dripping Springs, TX.

Q: What is the prettiest small town in Texas?
A: Wimberley is considered one of the prettiest small towns in Texas, with some of the most picturesque landscapes in the state.

Q: What is the coolest small town in Texas?
A: Check out Wimberley for a chill Texas town — and definitely one of the best small towns to live in Texas.

Q: What city in Texas has the best weather year-round?
A: Fredericksburg is known for having some of the best year-round weather in Texas.

Best Small Towns in Texas

Now that we’ve got the questions out of the way, let’s dive into our list of the best small towns in Texas! Consider this a jumping-off point in starting your search for the best town for you. 

With a strong German influence, Fredericksburg is one of the most vibrant and best small towns in Texas.
(Source: Visit Fredericksburg TX via Facebook)

1. Fredericksburg, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,200
• Average home value: $542,400
• Great for: Families, diversity, public schools, restaurants

Fredericksburg is one of the best small towns in Texas. It’s known for its strong German influence, delicious peaches, and outstanding local wineries — which makes sense since it’s located in the heart of Texas wine country, one of the best rural places to live in Texas. Founded by German immigrants in 1846, this small town has lots of history to offer (including locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places), along with some amazing restaurants and natural formations like the Enchanted Rock. 

2. Dripping Springs, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,700
• Average home value: $721,100
• Great for: Families, public schools, outdoor activities, diversity

Just west of Austin in Texas Hill Country is the lovely small town of Dripping Springs. Here, you’ll find the natural Hamilton Pool Preserve, which formed after millennia of water erosion to create a canyon, beach, grotto, and gorgeous 50-foot waterfall. A variety of hiking trails will take you through all the natural wonders in this small Texas town. With all kinds of wine, beer, liquor, and even olive oil tasting in the area, you’re sure to find your new local haunt. This is also a great area if you’re looking to start a family.

3. Boerne, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,400
• Average home value: $551,900
• Great for: Families, schools, diversity

Boerne is located in the ever-desirable Texas Hill Country, and though it’s just 30 minutes away from San Antonio, it feels like a different world. This is thanks to the welcoming vibes that permeate its family-centric community in one of the best rural towns in Texas. Named after a German author (Ludwig Börne) by the town’s German founders, Boerne is home to historic architecture as well as fun local shops and art galleries. You’ll also be close to outdoor (and underground!) adventures at the Boerne Lake and Nature Preserve and Cascade Caverns — thrilling expeditions that make Boerne distinctive among the best small towns in Texas to live. 

Just under 6,000 people live in Alpine, a remote small town in the heart of the Lone Star State’s Big Bend Country.
(Source: Visit Alpine, Texas via Facebook)

4. Alpine, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,400
• Average home value: $236,500
• Great for: Families, nightlife, housing

Talk about a small town with a lot of Texas charm! Alpine is a remote college town in Far West Texas, right in the heart of Big Bend Country. With just under 6,000 residents, it’s rich with that cozy feel you get in the best small towns in Texas. Alpine may be hours away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, but it still has a lot to offer! Here you’ll find an array of art galleries, restaurants, shops, live music venues, and gorgeous scenic views. You can explore the historic downtown or visit the Museum of the Big Bend on the campus of Sul Ross State University. Just two hours away you’ll find Big Bend National Park, where you can enjoy hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more.

5. Ennis, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,325
• Average home value: $255,700
• Great for: Families, schools, diversity

This lovely Texas town is located about a half hour south of Dallas, making it a great place to live if you want a slower pace of life while maintaining access to the big city. Ennis has long been one of the best small towns to live in Texas for families, thanks in part to its good schools. When it comes to entertainment, though, you don’t have to go far. Actually, you don’t even have to leave Ennis! Shop, dine, and socialize along the brick streets of the historic downtown district or catch a live show at Ennis Public Theatre, and there’s even the Galaxy Drive-In where you can watch the latest blockbusters while basking in the nostalgia of days past. For a little more excitement, visit the Texas Motorplex and Big O Speedway, or relax on the shores of Bardwell Lake. For a change of pace, you can always attend one of the many festivals the town hosts each year, including the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails & Festival, Ennis Autumn Daze, and the National Polka Festival (Ennis has strong Czech roots, so be sure to try the delicious food!). 

6. Wimberley, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,550
• Average home value: $545,500
• Great for: Families, schools, outdoor activities, housing options

Located just 45 minutes southwest of the eclectic capital city of Austin, the town of Wimberley calls itself “a Little Bit of Heaven” and would be a great place to call home in Texas. This small town is an artist’s dream. It’s home to thriving art and cultural scenes, including multiple art galleries, boutiques, farmers markets, and live music events. Here in Wimberley, you’ll find some of the most picturesque landscapes in Texas, such as the Devil’s Backbone (one of the most scenic — and reportedly haunted! — drives in the state), Jacob’s Well swimming hole, “Old Baldy” (or Prayer Mountain), and Blue Hole Regional Park. 

Marfa, one of the best small towns in Texas, offers the charming ruggedness of Far West Texas near the Mexican border.

7. Marfa, TX

• Median rent (all sizes): $1,850
• Average home price: $304,400
• Great for: Families, culture, safety

This charming little Texas town is located near the Mexican border and the Davis Mountains, and is a great option if you’re looking for small-town life in Far West Texas. While this Chihuahuan Desert town is both remote and small, it still boasts a lot of interesting options when it comes to things to do. You can explore the many nearby hiking trails, check out the local ranches, or even tour one of the many local art galleries and museums. Oh, we almost forgot to mention the Marfa Mystery Lights! Visitors from around the world flock to Marfa to witness this unique phenomenon — unexplained and seemingly sourceless lights appear to dance on the horizon southeast of town, an area that’s very difficult to traverse and practically uninhabited (spooky!). And finally, remember that Marfa is in the desert, so prepare for hot days and chilly nights.

8. Willow Park, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,600
• Average home value: $414,800
• Great for: Families, schools, housing, diversity

Willow Park is located only 22 miles west of Fort Worth, which is a pretty typical commute in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This little city offers its residents a rural, small-town feel that fosters strong community vibes. Being so close to Fort Worth, it’s a great place for families or young professionals to purchase a home, as most residents do. Lots of big-city amenities are nearby (rodeos, honky-tonks, live entertainment, shopping), but the town also has its own destinations: the open-air Shops at Willow Park and The District, a dining and entertainment hub with a growing number of restaurants and bars to check out. Add the spacious feel of one of the best rural towns in Texas, and it’s easy to see why the folks who live in Willow Park choose to stay and raise their families.

9. Johnson City, TX

• Median rent (all sizes): $1,775
• Average home value: $592,600
• Great for: Families, schools, housing, diversity, safety

This historic Texas town is located just 50 miles west of Austin (less than an hour’s drive) and is where President Lyndon B. Johnson grew up from the age of five. History buffs will love exploring the LBJ National Historical Park and the LBJ Ranch (aka the Texas White House), a political hub outside of Washington where the president spent his time while in Johnson City, most definitely considered one of the best small towns in Texas. Local outdoor activities include hiking, biking, camping, and more at Pedernales Falls State Park and swimming in the beautiful Pedernales River. If you’re looking for culture, there’s always an art walk, winery, or gallery to check out in Johnson City. 

10. Weatherford, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,450
• Average home value: $382,100
• Great for: Families, schools, diversity

Weatherford is a lovely little family-oriented town about 30 minutes west of Fort Worth. Here, you’ll find the breathtaking Chandor Gardens — a 3.5-acre estate where traditional Chinese architecture melds with an elegant English garden. You can take advantage of the shopping and entertainment district where you’ll find boutique shops, antiques, and other specialty items, and there’s even a farmer’s market with local goods and produce. A variety of events are put on throughout the year, including the Weatherford Music Festival and the Parker County Peach Festival (yum!). Weatherford offers a friendly small-town feel, all while being close enough to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to take advantage of all the big city has to offer.

The best small towns in Texas have charming downtown districts, like this one in Brenham.
(Source: Visit Brenham/Washington County, Texas via Facebook)

11. Brenham, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $875
• Average home value: $315,600
• Great for: Families, schools, housing, diversity, safety

About an hour outside of Houston is the pleasant small Texas town of Brenham. It is the county seat of Washington County, and is also home to the famous Blue Bell Creameries, one of the largest ice cream producers in the country — could you design a better business for one of the best small towns to live in Texas for families? If you want a little more space away from the hustle and bustle of Houston, then the suburban feel of Brenham is a great fit. Here in this part of Texas, you can enjoy Lake Somerville State Park, the fragrant Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, and nearby wineries. A quick jaunt to the Downtown Brenham Historic District will find you among art walks, antique carousels, boutiques, and even live theater — not bad for one of the best rural towns in Texas.

12. Schulenburg, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
  
• Average home value: $367,500
• Great for: Housing options, nightlife, music

Known as the spot that’s “halfway to everywhere,” Schulenberg is a great small town between Houston and San Antonio. Schulenberg was founded by Czech, Austrian, and German settlers in the mid-nineteenth century, making it the perfect home for the Texas Polka Music Museum and a great place to try Czech kolaches or German schnitzel (we recommend Kountry Bakery and Momma’s at Sengelmann Hall). While the population is considered small at just over 2,600 people, the town offers affordable options when it comes to housing. And because this town is located just an hour and a half from San Antonio and from Houston, it’s still close enough for trips to the big city, without sacrificing its rural Texas appeal.

13. Dublin, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $650
  
• Average home value: $246,600
• Great for: Families, schools, housing, diversity, safety

A green sign shaped like a four-leaf clover will welcome you to this small town in North Central Texas. Dublin is known as the official “Irish capital of Texas,” but unlike its counterpart across the pond, it’s a pretty rural place with an economy that’s primarily agriculture-based. Still, the housing prices here are nice and (relatively) low, and there’s plenty to do in this charming Texas town. You can explore one of the many museums or parks, visit Lucky Vines Vineyard and Winery, or taste the scrumptious Veldhuizen cheese made right here at the family-owned Veldhuizen Cheese farm and shop. And, of course, we can’t forget about the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Dublin puts on every year — pretty impressive for one of the best small towns in Texas!   

When you move with PODS, a portable moving and storage container is delivered right to your driveway where you can pack and load on your own schedule.

PODS Can Help You Move to Any of the Best Small Towns in Texas

No matter which of these best small towns in Texas you choose, PODS can help you make the move. Have a  portable moving and storage container delivered right to your driveway where you can pack and load on your own schedule. When you’re ready, PODS will pick it up and deliver it to your new, small-town Texas home. 

And if you're looking for more Southwestern small towns, check out the best small towns in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe, Zumper, and Zillow; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

(Source for image featured at top: Pete Alexopoulos)