Why People Hate Texas: It was Unexpected

Why people hate Texas: my own opinion

It was 2019. Texas was the leader in all "Best US States" lists. Effective state administration, no income tax, affordable housing. Big skies, big personality, big opportunity. But then COVID hitted and state absorbed more expats than almost anywhere else in the country.

And then those people started talking.

Search queries like "Texas regret" and "moving back from Texas" climbed steadily. People who moved from high-taxes states, like California, New York, and the Northeast, expecting a lower-cost, sunnier version of their old life, discovered something different. Not that "Texas is a bad place to live".

But the gap between the Texas from the headlines and the Texas in real life significant, and nobody talks about it.

After this article you will know what people actually complain about after moving to Texas, why are those complaints legitimate, and who Texas genuinely suits for despite the downsides.

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1. The heat is worse than anyone tells you

This comes up first in almost every "I hate Texas" conversation because it is the thing people most consistently underestimate before moving.

Texas summers are not "warm", "hot" or "boiling". From June through September, highs in Dallas and Austin regularly sit at 100-105°F (~38-41°C). San Antonio and Houston add humidity to that making it's almost impossible for unprepared person to cope with. You are not going outside between 10am and 7pm on many days without genuine discomfort. Outdoor activities that people in other parts of the country take for granted in summer, jogging, cycling, hiking, Saturday morning errands, feel dangerous in the peak heat.

The psychological effect comes to light over years. The first Texas summer is manageable. The third or fourth, newcomers describe as something like seasonal depression in reverse, dreading June the way northerners dread February. The heat is relentless, monotonous, and does not break the way it does in drier climates. Phoenix in August at 110°F(~44°C) is often more bearable than Dallas at 100(~38°C) degrees with 60% humidity.

People from the Pacific Coast of California, the Pacific Northwest, or the Upper Midwest often struggle the most. People from Florida, the Gulf Coast, or South Texas already know what they are getting into.

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2. The power grid situation is genuinely unresolved

The 2021 winter storm was a tough one. It killed over 200 Texans and left millions without power and heat for days during freezing temperatures. It wasn't just a random act of nature. It was a bit of a bummer, but it was just a failure of the independent power grid that runs independently from the rest of the country. The grid is doing its best, but it doesn't have a lot of ability to import electricity from neighboring states during emergencies.

Even after five years, the grid remains a valid concern. As of early 2026, Texas residential electricity rates have increased to around 15.87 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is about a 5.75% rise compared to last year. It's no secret that wholesale prices have been on the rise. In fact, they spiked by about 45% in 2026 compared to 2025. And it's all thanks to the incredible surge in demand for data centers. In 2025, on average, Texans were paying about $181 for electricity each month. But, you know how it is, summer months can really put a strain on that budget when everyone is running their air conditioners all the time.

The deregulated electricity market can be confusing, but we're here to help! If you don't actively shop for power plans, you might get placed on expensive default rates. This can be confusing for newcomers who are used to seeing a utility on their bill without much thought. We understand that sometimes it's easy to forget to take care of your electricity contracts. But we want to remind you that if you don't stay on top of them, you might end up paying more than you should.

The grid has been getting a lot stronger since 2021, but ERCOT's own projections show that electricity demand could possibly double by 2030. This is because of data center growth, population increases, and more people adopting electric vehicles.

The root of the problem that caused the 2021 disaster hasn't been fully fixed yet. Most Texans have come to terms with this, and they're doing their best to make the best of it. It's really important to remember that people moving from states with more reliable utility infrastructure often haven't had the same experience.

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3. Property taxes quietly eat your savings

Texas has no income tax. But Texas also has some of the highest property tax rates in the country, at around 1.60% of assessed value. These two facts are related. The state raises money in many different ways, and in Texas, a big part of that comes from property owners.

For a home that's worth $400,000, that's about $6,400 a year in property taxes. For example, you could easily earn $9,000 to $12,000 per year on a $600,000 home in Austin or a newer build in a Dallas suburb. It's important to remember that this is money that disappears every year, no matter what happens with your home's value.

If you're thinking of moving from California, where property taxes are capped at 1% and Prop 13 limits increases on assessed value, you might be surprised by the Texas property tax system. A lot of folks calculate the savings from no income tax without thinking about the difference in property taxes. Sometimes this can lead to financial surprises that aren't quite what we expected.

And in those fast-growing Texas metros, the situation is even more complicated. In 2025, the value of homes in Austin went up by 8-12%, and that meant that property tax bills went up too. It's a great time to be a homeowner in the Dallas suburbs! Cities like Frisco, McKinney, and Prosper saw higher appraisals alongside rate increases. San Antonio has been more stable, but even there, assessments have been rising.

When it comes to the Texas tax trade-off, it's like this: the higher your income compared to your home value, the better off you are. A tech worker earning $180,000 in a $450,000 house is probably ahead. For example, a teacher earning $58,000 in a $350,000 house may not be.

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4. Car dependency at a scale

Texas is one of the states where people drive the most. This isn't just a small change in your daily life. It's a big change, but in a good way.

In Dallas, it can take 20-40 minutes to get to a grocery store, a gym, a restaurant, or a friend's house from a typical residential neighborhood. The states are built on the assumption that everyone has a car and uses it for everything. Public transit is something we all need, and it's great to know it's out there for us. In practice, it only covers a small fraction of where people actually need to go.

If you're moving from a place where you can walk everywhere or even a place with better roads for cars, Texas might feel a little different. You could live in Austin or Dallas for months and never walk anywhere. Everything feels so far away. Traffic on major roads during rush hour in Dallas and Houston can be really tough. The sprawl isn't just a matter of how it looks; it also affects how tired you feel at the end of every day and how connected you feel to the place you live.

People who grew up in suburban America tend to adapt to this more easily. People who move to a major coastal city with the hopes of enjoying its walkability and density often find themselves facing some of the hardest adjustments.

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5. The cultural difference is real

Texas has a strong and distinct identity. That identity is really appealing to a lot of people, but it can also feel a bit out of reach to others. Don't worry about which reaction is "right", all totally valid!

Texas is known for its conservative roots, which might be a bit different from what transplants from the coastal states are used to. Texas state government is known for being very conservative on issues like abortion access, gun laws, LGBTQ rights, and public education policy. Moving from California or New York isn't just about getting used to different neighbors' opinions. They're adjusting to a different legal and policy environment that affects daily life in ways that are sometimes small and sometimes significant.

Texas hospitality is known for being warm and welcoming. But, you know, the social norms, the way people talk about religion, politics, and community, can feel a bit foreign at first. It might take you a little while to adjust to all of that. Some transplants have said that they felt welcome at first, but then felt a bit socially isolated for a while before they found their community.

This isn't something that should hold you back from moving to Texas if you're a good fit for the state. It's a shame that this important topic is often overlooked in the usual discussion of benefits like no income tax and affordable housing.

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6. Allergies and air quality

Cedar fever is a Texas-specific phenomenon that surprises almost every person who moves from outside the region. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) releases massive amounts of pollen from December through February across Central Texas, producing allergy symptoms in roughly half the population that are intense enough to be mistaken for illness. People who never had allergies in their lives develop them within a few years of living in Austin or San Antonio.

Grass pollen season follows in spring, and ragweed hits in fall. Year-round allergy season is a legitimate and underreported part of life in Texas that people mention consistently after moving there.

Air quality in the major metros, particularly Houston, Dallas, and El Paso, has also been a concern for people with respiratory sensitivities.

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7. The no-income-tax savings do not always materialize

And the main reason folks move to Texas is to pay less in taxes. It deserves the honest treatment.

Texas is a great place to live because it doesn't have an income tax! If you're in a household earning $150,000, you're in luck! You'll save around $10,000 to $18,000 per year compared to California, depending on your deductions. That's a really genuine and significant financial benefit.

But, my friend, the calculation often ignores what comes with it. Hey, just a heads-up: property taxes in this area are a bit higher than in other parts of California. You can expect to pay around $3,000 to $5,000 more each year. We understand that sometimes your electricity bills can be a bit higher than you expected. We understand that homeowners insurance can be a bit of a hassle right now, and it's true that rates have been going up. The no-income-tax savings are real for high earners in particular, but the net financial benefit after accounting for all costs is often smaller than the headline number.

We're here to help you understand how Texas stacks up against other states that don't have an income tax. We've put together a handy guide that breaks down the cost of living and shows you exactly how much you could save.

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So who does Texas actually work for?

Texas is a great place for folks who grew up in warm, car-dependent environments and aren't thrown by that. It's a great option for tech workers, energy professionals, and corporate career folks who really benefit from the income tax savings and the job market depth. It's perfect for families who care about having good schools in the suburbs, lower housing costs than what you'd find on the coast, and having plenty of space to stretch out. It's perfect for folks who share Texas's values and find its straightforwardness invigorating instead of overwhelming.

Austin is a special place, and it's important to see it as more than just another city in Texas. The city itself is a lot more liberal and cosmopolitan than the state it's in. Many transplants to Austin find the city itself a comfortable fit, even when they struggle with Texas at the state level.

If you're thinking about moving from Florida to Texas, our guide to moving from Florida to Texas can help you understand the differences between the two states. We'll talk about things like costs, weather, and lifestyle so you can make an informed decision.

If you're in your 30s and considering relocation, this is our guide to the best states to move to in your 30s that can help you understand what it's like to live in Texas compared to other great places.

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The bottom line

Texas is not overrated. The job market is real, the income tax savings are real, and for the right person, the quality of life is genuinely excellent.

I'm sure you'll agree that it's been oversold. The difference between the pitch and reality can be a bit of a shock for some, especially those who moved for financial reasons without visiting first.

If you're thinking of moving to Texas, I'd highly recommend visiting in August first. That's the most common piece of advice from folks who've made the move and are loving it. If you can swing a week in Dallas or San Antonio in August and still want to move there, you'll be in good shape. If you find yourself spending that week dreaming about going home, it might be a sign that the tax savings might not be enough to make it work for you in the long run.

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FAQ

Why do people regret moving to Texas?

We understand that moving to Texas can be a big change. In fact, many people find it challenging. The summer heat can be intense, the power grid has had its challenges, property taxes can be surprisingly high, and it can be hard to get around without a car. It's also a big adjustment for people who are used to more progressive or urban environments.

Is Texas as affordable as people say?

Partially. The no-income-tax benefit is real and significant, particularly for higher earners. But, my dear, property taxes in Texas are among the highest in the country. And electricity costs are going up, as is homeowners insurance. The net financial benefit after all costs is often smaller than the headline "no income tax" pitch suggests.

What is the biggest complaint about living in Texas?

The heat is the main complaint, especially from folks who've moved from the Pacific Coast or Upper Midwest. You know, I think it's important to mention that from June through September, many parts of the state experience triple-digit temperatures and high humidity. This can be a bit of a shock for some people when they're not expecting it. It's something to keep in mind when thinking about your quality of life.

Is the Texas power grid still a problem in 2026?

It's totally understandable to be concerned. The grid has been strengthened since the 2021 disaster, and while it operates independently from the national grid, it has limited import capacity. It's important to keep in mind that electricity demand in Texas is projected to potentially double by 2030 due to data center growth and population increases. This is creating ongoing pressure on the system.

Is Texas a good place to live despite the downsides?

Absolutely! For so many of us, this is something we can really relate to. Texas has a wonderful mix of career opportunities, lifestyle freedom, tax savings for those who earn more, and a warm community feel that makes it a great place to live. It's important to understand that there are some real downsides, but they're manageable for folks who go in with realistic expectations and fit the profile of someone Texas actually works with.

What is a better alternative to Texas if the downsides bother you?

If you're not a fan of the Texas heat or the power grid, you might want to think about moving to Tennessee. It doesn't have an income tax, the cost of living is lower, the summers are milder, and there are great places to live like Nashville. If you're looking for career opportunities in Texas without the high prices of Austin, Raleigh, North Carolina is a great option to consider. It's got a similar tech job market, and the weather is much more pleasant. Plus, the overall cost of living is slightly lower, making it a more affordable choice.