Are You Living in One of the Most Affordable Cities in Texas?

This past weekend, while working at the Gun and Knife Show, several listeners asked me the same old annoying question: "Rudy, you've been at the station forever, are you a millionaire yet?" My answer is always the same: "Nope, I just talk on the radio, I don’t own it!" They chuckle, I sigh, and life goes on.

But this time, it made me pause and think: life seems pricier lately, so where exactly can we stretch our Texas-sized dollars the furthest?

How Affordable is My Hometown, Abilene?

Full disclosure: Radio hasn't made me rich unless counting pennies counts. I'm as frugal as they come, and yes, that means I clip coupons and pinch pennies tighter than a new pair of boots. So, imagine my surprise when I learned Abilene landed on a list of the top five most affordable Texas cities. For a moment, I felt richer already.

Here's why Abilene made the list, according to the folks at Redfin:

• Median Home Price: $223,000
• Average Rent (1-bedroom): $750 (cheaper than my car payment!)
• Median Income: $52,518
• Nearest Big City: Fort Worth, just 150 miles away.
• Stuff to Do: Lake Fort Phantom (go fishing without going broke), Abilene Zoo, and downtown’s charm (it’s quaint, not fancy).

Not bad, huh?

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San Angelo – Friendly and Cheap (Just Not Next Door)

Wichita Falls – Budget-Friendly with Oklahoma Neighbors

• Median Home Price: $176,450
• Average Rent (1-bedroom): $791
• Median Income: $47,335
• Nearest Big City: Oklahoma City (Wait, is that even in Texas?) 139 miles away.
• Highlights: Lucy Park, Wichita Falls Museum of Art, and Lake Wichita Park. Basically, nature and art that won't empty your wallet.

Lubbock – More than Dust and Buddy Holly

• Median Home Price: $225,000
• Average Rent (1-bedroom): $716 (Now we’re talking!)
• Median Income: $47,335
• Nearest Big City: Amarillo, 122 miles
• Highlights: Buddy Holly Center, Caprock Canyons, Silent Wings Museum. (And plenty of places to buy sunglasses to keep dust out of your eyes.)

Victoria – Close to the Coast Without Coastal Prices

• Median Home Price: $228,000
• Average Rent (1-bedroom): $835
• Median Income: $47,335
• The Nearest Big City: is Corpus Christi, 85 miles (perfect weekend trips.)
• Highlights: Victoria Texas Independent Film Festival. Fancy enough to impress your hipster friends.

Keep in mind, that affordability varies by personal taste. But these Texas cities help your dollars go further, especially good news for folks like me who answer, "No, I'm still not a millionaire," way too often. Welcome to affordable Texas living, y’all!