Welcome to Texas

Your life in the Lone Star State begins

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Texas Self-StorageReasons to Move to TexasMoving to TexasEconomic OutlookPlaces to LiveResources

Welcome to Texas

From the hottest desert towns and the highest mountains to the most gorgeous ranchlands and dense natural forests, Texas boasts a wide array of landscapes and cities both big and small. With a mix of residents and a rich culture and history, you'll never be bored in Texas.

Some come to the Lone Star state to start a new life away from the hustle and bustle, while others relocate to the cosmopolitan big cities of Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Texas is home to some of the best live music, sports teams, and restaurants in the country. It's also the second-largest state, not just in terms of land area but also when it comes to GDP and total population. It's no wonder people are flocking to live in Texas!

Texas Self-Storage Facts

Everything is bigger in Texas, and self-storage is no exception. In fact, the modern self-storage industry got its start in West Texas and has been going strong ever since. As more and more people have moved to Texas over the last decade, that has created a tremendous demand for self-storage facilities. Our internal research has found that about 60 percent of self-storage users are in the midst of some kind of relocation activity, which means that self-storage is a critical service for those moving into the state.

Here's some data points that illustrate just how big self-storage is in Texas:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Texas:

4,900

Texas is home to more than 4,900 self-storage facilities, more than any other state in the country!

207,000,000

Texas self-storage facilities provide more than 207,000,000 square feet of storage space.

7.74

Texas has 7.74 square feet of self-storage space for every person in the state. That's more than the national average of 5.4 square feet per capita.

Reasons to Move to Texas

If you're thinking about making the move, but aren't sure if Texas is the right place, consider the following:

1

Better livin'. The average cost of living in Texas is lower than the national average and best of all, there's no personal income tax and no corporate income tax. The unemployment rate is also lower than the national average meaning it'll be easier for you to get a job once you move there.

2

The great food. Texas is known for its delicious BBQ and there are tons of restaurants offering up a thick, juicy slab of meat drizzled with the most delectable BBQ sauces in the country.

3

Great weather. Texas is a beautiful (and warm) place to live with temperatures ranging from 80 to 100 degrees in the summer. But the rest of the year, the temperature is mild with very little (if any) snow and plenty of sunshine.

4

Southern hospitality. If you've never been to the south, you'll love the Southern hospitality most northerners will never know. If you're looking for a state to welcome you with open arms and tons of smiles, Texas is the place to go. Texans are well known for their pleasant attitudes and politeness to neighbors and strangers. Get ready to hear "Hi, y'all" or "Howdy, ma'am" throughout your daily travels if you're going to come to the Lone Star State.

5

Great sports teams. Texas is home to a few winning national sports league franchises, including Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Dallas Stars and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

6

Higher education institutions. With more than 200 colleges and universities, you'll be sure to find what you're looking for when it comes time to go to school (or back to school). Some of the best colleges in Texas include Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Rice University, and the University of Texas at Austin.

7

Fast-Growing cities. Of any state, Texas has the most cities with the fastest growth due to a boom in industries like energy, agriculture, healthcare, and defense.

8

Got a sweet tooth? Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885 so if you're a fan of Dr. Pepper --and real sugar! - you can enjoy Dr. Pepper with real sugar if you ever move near Waco, Texas.

9

Got a love of wine? Texas produces more than $13 billion worth of wine every year.

10

Are you a woman who owns a business? Texas is a great state for female entrepreneurs with nearly one million women-owned businesses registered in the state.

Moving to Texas

Texas is the second-most populous state in the country, second only to California, with 29 million residents as of 2019. Texas borders New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Filled with deserts, forest, mountains, and ranches, Texas offers a diverse range of landscapes, which is one reason Texas's population continues to grow as more people flock to the south and the west from the east. Texas continues to see growth due in part to its rich culture and history, job opportunities and word class entertainment, which is why so many young people across the country are heading to Texas cities like Dallas and Austin.

Another reason? In 2017, Texas accounted for 37 percent of America's crude oil production, based on information from the US Energy Information Administration, which is another reason for the explosive growth in major cities throughout the state.

Texas Economic Outlook

As mentioned above, Texas has the second-largest economy of all the states in the country. If Texas were a country, it would have the 10th largest GDP on earth with an approximate economic output of $1.7 trillion, according to Markets Insider. It's home to more than 254 of counties and a very healthy job market. As of September 2019, Texas has an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, which is a bit lower than the national average of 3.5 percent.

The economic outlook for the future of Texas looks positive. Texas gained 391,000 jobs in 2018. Employment growth exceeded expectations and unemployment rates dropped to historic lows. Housing sales declined and interest rates dropped. Overall, Texas has a healthy economic outlook and it's expected to continue on that path, which is great news for those planning a move there.

Although its the second largest state in the country, the overall cost of living is lower than the national average, making Texas one of the most affordable places to live in the country, according to The Balance Small Business, with an overall cost of living index of 90.7.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of Texas' largest sectors by real value added of GDP:

$226.52 billion
Finance, insurance, real estate rental and leasing
$217.93 billion
Manufacturing
$207.19 billion
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
$194.32 billion
Professional and business services
$159.73 billion
Government and government enterprises

Who are Texas's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Texas A&M University
more than 50,000
MD Anderson Cancer Center
more than 22,000
Dell
22,000
Shell Deepwater Development
44,000
The University of Texas at Austin
nearly 21,000

Places to live in Texas

Whether you're looking for big-city or small-town living, Texas has got you covered. If you're looking to change careers or you simply just want to get out of where you currently reside, Texas has plenty to offer in terms of great education institutions and top employers. Here is a quick look at the state's three largest cities:

San Antonio

San Antonio is home to 1.5 million people as of 2017 and is the most visited city in Texas (and the 17th most visited in the country) thanks to attractions like Six Flags Fiesta, the historic Alamo site, and The River Walk. The thriving cultural and entertainment scenes make it an attractive option for those considering moving there any time soon.

Cost of living
14 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$211,800
Average rent
$949/month
Average apartment size
853 square feet

Dallas

Dallas is the 9th largest city in the U.S. and the third-largest in Texas with a population of 1.2 million people. Every year, almost 25 million people visit the City of Dallas. Commonly referred to as the Triple D by its residents, Dallas boasts great attractions like the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens and White Rock Lake Park.

Cost of living
2 percent higher than the national average
Median home price
$248,375
Average rent
$1,022/month
Average apartment size
845 square feet

Houston

As the fourth largest city in the country, Houston's metro area is larger than some states. With a population of more than 2 million people, Houston is one of the most diverse major cities in the United States. Housing more than 11,000 restaurants, the Space Center, and its famous Texas-shaped lazy river, Houston has plenty to offer in terms of dining and entertainment options.

Cost of living
2 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$223,875
Average rent
$995/month
Average apartment size
879 square feet

Moving to Texas Resources

All Texas Cities