The Comprehensive Guide to Living in Texas (2026 Edition)

Texas Geography That Shapes Daily Life

Texans casually say “I’m up in North Texas” or “I’m down the coast,” but those phrases carry real-world consequences: different storm patterns, different commutes, different water systems, and different administrative rhythms. The fastest way to feel like a local is to learn the handful of geographic lines people reference without naming them.

The I-35 Spine And The Balcones Edge

That tall, busy corridor from San Antonio through Austin and up toward Waco and DFW is more than “cities on a highway.” In Central Texas, locals will mention the Hill Country and then casually talk about being “west of the escarpment” like everyone knows what that means. They’re usually pointing to the limestone transition where the terrain climbs and the vegetation changes. It’s also why you’ll hear cedar fever talked about like a season—because it is. Texas A&M Forest Service explains that “cedar fever” is an allergic reaction tied to pollen from mountain cedar, especially the Ashe juniper, a familiar winter-time reality around the Hill Country and the I-35 side of it. Learn more from Texas A&M Forest Service.

Gulf Coast Bays And The Humidity Map

The Houston area, Galveston, the coastal bend, and the broader Gulf side are shaped by bay systems and warm air that never fully lets go. “Coastal” doesn’t only mean beachfront; it’s also whether your errands include causeways, ship-channel crossings, or bridges you learn to time. If your move is to the Gulf side, your home’s HVAC planning is less about a luxury and more about baseline comfort in a long warm season.

West Texas Distance Is A Real Variable

In West Texas and the Panhandle, the scale is the first “aha” moment: the map looks close until you drive it. Places like El Paso, Midland-Odessa, Lubbock, and the edges of Big Bend country each come with their own cadence. In these regions, “running an errand” can mean planning fuel stops and thinking in hours, not miles.

Choosing A Home: Cities, Suburbs, And The County Line Reality

A surprising Texas-specific truth: your quality-of-life details can change dramatically by crossing an invisible line—sometimes the city limit, sometimes the county line, sometimes the boundary of a special district that most newcomers don’t realize exists until they see it on a bill.

Special Districts, MUDs, And Why Your Bills Look Different

Texas uses thousands of special purpose districts to provide specific services—everything from water to hospitals to toll roads. The Texas Comptroller explains that these districts may be supported by a property tax, sales tax, or user fees, depending on their purpose, and they can issue debt. See the Comptroller’s overview of special purpose districts.

One district type you’ll hear about in newer suburban developments is a Municipal Utility District (MUD). The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality describes a municipal utility district as one formed under specific circumstances to provide utility services to a designated area. Read TCEQ’s MUD overview. In plain language, this can mean your water/sewer setup is governed by a district and your property tax statement may include a line item tied to that district’s services.

Understanding Property Taxes, Homestead, And Local Districts

If you buy a home in Texas, you’ll quickly learn that property tax isn’t one single thing—it’s a stack of local taxing units. The piece most homeowners should understand early is the residence homestead exemption, because it’s both common and time-sensitive.

The Homestead Exemption In 2026: What It Does

The Texas Comptroller’s property tax exemptions guidance states that Tax Code Section 11.13(b) requires school districts to provide a $140,000 exemption on a residence homestead, and that a local option exemption can be adopted by taxing units up to 20% of a property’s appraised value (with a minimum floor). Comptroller: Property Tax Exemptions.

You don’t file this with “the state” in a generic sense—you file with your county appraisal district. The Comptroller’s Residence Homestead Exemptions publication explains that you file the application and documentation with the appraisal district office in each county where the property is located, and that the general filing deadline is no later than April 30. Comptroller Publication 98-1070 (Residence Homestead Exemptions).

What You’ll See On A Texas Property Tax Statement

Even when two homes have similar prices, their tax line items can look different depending on local units. Here are common labels you’ll see, especially in fast-growing metro areas where special districts are common:

• ISD (Independent School District): school taxes are typically the largest line item for many homeowners.
• County: county-level services.
• City (if incorporated): municipal services.
• Community College (in some areas): supports local college districts.
• Hospital District (in some counties): supports healthcare infrastructure.
• Special District (varies): can include water districts, utility districts, or other service-specific districts.

Utilities: Electricity Choice, Water Districts, And Internet

Plenty of moving guides mention “Texas electricity deregulation,” then stop right when it gets useful. The practical Texas detail is this: in many areas you can pick your Retail Electric Provider (REP), but the poles-and-wires side is handled by your local Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU). That split is why your bill can have line items that don’t change even when you switch plans.

Power To Choose And What Your Zip Code Reveals

The Public Utility Commission of Texas points consumers to Power to Choose for comparing electric rates in deregulated communities. It’s described as the Commission’s electric choice website for comparing plans, and it also explains the Provider of Last Resort concept in deregulated areas. PUCT: Electricity Options and PowerToChoose.org.

Here’s a local tell: if you type your zip code into Power to Choose and it says your area isn’t open to competition, you’re likely in a place served by a municipal utility or a cooperative where you don’t shop plans the same way. That’s why Austin Energy and CPS Energy conversations sound different than “shopping REPs” conversations—same state, different structure.

Water, Wastewater, And The District Layer

Water and wastewater in Texas frequently come with a district layer that’s invisible until you move into a master-planned community. If your neighborhood is tied to a MUD or similar district, you may see district names on bills or tax documents. TCEQ’s MUD page is a good starting point for understanding why these districts exist and what they do. TCEQ: Municipal Utility Districts.

Driving, Vehicles, And IDs: What Actually Happens First

This is where newcomers waste the most time if they rely on “generic U.S. moving advice.” Texas splits responsibilities across agencies in a way that’s totally normal once you know it—until then, it’s easy to stand in the wrong line.

The 30-Day And 90-Day Rules

TxDMV’s “New to Texas” guidance states you have 30 days from the time you move to Texas to register your vehicle in the state, and it outlines the steps and where to go (your local county tax assessor-collector office). TxDMV: New to Texas.

That same TxDMV page points you to DPS for licensing and states that new residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license within 90 days of moving. DPS: Moving To Texas.

Inspections In 2026: Safety Vs. Emissions

As of January 1, 2025, DPS states that Texas no longer requires a safety inspection on non-commercial vehicles, while vehicles in an emissions county still need an annual emissions inspection. The same DPS inspection criteria page lists the affected emissions counties and describes how gasoline vehicles in those counties are tested. DPS: Inspection Criteria.

For the 2026 edition specifically, one county detail matters if you’re moving to the San Antonio area: TCEQ notes that the vehicle emissions inspection program expands to include Bexar County beginning November 1, 2026. TCEQ: Vehicle Inspection And Maintenance Program Overview.

Insurance And Fees New Residents Actually See

TxDMV’s new-resident guidance spells out Texas minimum liability coverage as $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, and it explains that the base registration fee is $50.75 plus $1 for the TexasSure insurance verification program and other DPS initiatives (with additional county fees possible). TxDMV: New to Texas (Insurance And Fees).

If you drive a fully electric vehicle, TxDMV notes an annual $200 fee at registration renewal for most fully electric cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs, and $400 for new electric vehicles issued two years of registration, effective September 1, 2023. TxDMV: Electric Vehicle Fee Details.

Driver License Details: New Design And Document Reality

DPS updated the look and physical features of Texas driver licenses and IDs starting August 18, 2025, according to DPS’s public information about the redesigned credential. DPS: Texas DL/ID Redesign Information.

For proof-of-residency, DPS publishes a dedicated list of what they accept—and an easy-to-miss detail: at least one of your proof-of-residency documents must be dated within a recent window (DPS specifies timing requirements in its residency documentation guidance). DPS: Residency Requirements.

If you’re coming from outside the U.S., DPS also notes limited reciprocity arrangements for certain foreign countries/territories (so applicants from those places may not need to take a driving test), including France, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. DPS: Moving To Texas (Reciprocity).

Schools, Healthcare, And Everyday Paperwork

Texas admin life is paperwork-heavy in a quiet way: school enrollment, medical onboarding, and address changes all ask for the same handful of documents—proof of identity, proof of residence, and clean records you can actually find quickly when someone requests them.

School Enrollment: The Records That Matter

For K-12 enrollment, immunization documentation is a recurring requirement across districts. The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains the official school and childcare immunization requirements and supporting resources. DSHS: School And Childcare Immunization Requirements.

Address Changes: The Two Systems People Forget

In the U.S., changing your address is not one universal switch. For mail forwarding, the U.S. Postal Service provides an official change-of-address process. USPS: Official Change Of Address. If you’re in a U.S. immigration category that requires address reporting, USCIS maintains official instructions for changing your address, including online options. USCIS: How To Change Your Address.

Health And Comfort In The Texas Calendar

Texas comfort planning is often seasonal. In Central Texas, “cedar fever” is commonly discussed as a winter allergy season tied to Ashe juniper pollen—Texas A&M Forest Service provides a clear explanation of what it is and what it isn’t. Texas A&M Forest Service: Cedar Fever Explained.

Work And Community Life Across The State

Texas is packed with recognizable “headline industries,” but the lived reality is more local: what you do and how you network can change by metro. Houston often feels like multiple cities layered together (medical, energy, aerospace, shipping), Austin has a tight tech-and-university orbit, DFW runs on a broad corporate footprint, and San Antonio blends tourism, military-adjacent activity, and a rapidly diversifying economy. Across the board, community colleges and large universities—like The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Rice University—shape professional pipelines in ways you’ll notice quickly once you start meeting people.

Sources

• TxDMV: New To Texas — Vehicle registration timeline, emissions-county list, insurance minimums, and fee structure for new residents.
• Texas DPS: Moving To Texas — New resident driver license requirements, timelines, and reciprocity notes.
• Texas DPS: Residency Requirements — Accepted proof-of-residency documents and document timing rules.
• Texas DPS: Inspection Criteria — Official explanation of post-2025 inspection rules (safety vs. emissions) and affected counties.
• TCEQ: Vehicle Inspection And Maintenance Program Overview — Emissions inspection program details and the stated expansion date for Bexar County.
• Texas Comptroller: Property Tax Exemptions — Statutory homestead exemption amounts and local option parameters.
• Texas Comptroller: Residence Homestead Exemptions (Publication 98-1070) — Filing process and general April 30 application deadline details.
• Texas Comptroller: Special Purpose Districts — How special districts work and how they’re funded.
• TCEQ: Municipal Utility Districts — Official explanation of MUDs and related resources.
• PUCT: Electricity Options — Official consumer guidance on electricity choice and Provider of Last Resort in deregulated areas.
• Power To Choose (PUCT) — Official plan comparison portal for deregulated Texas communities.
• Texas DSHS: School And Childcare Immunization — Official requirements and resources for school/childcare immunization documentation.
• Texas A&M Forest Service: Cedar Fever Explained — Educational overview of cedar fever and Ashe juniper pollen in Texas.
• USPS: Official Change Of Address — Mail forwarding and address change process.
• USCIS: How To Change Your Address — Official address-change guidance for relevant USCIS processes.
• U.S. Department Of State: Visas — Official visa category overview and links to current guidance.