Metro relocation guide
Dallas–Fort Worth
Counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton
June 2026 nonfarm payrolls: 4,363,300 · BLS preliminary
Open metro guide →Texas relocation reference system
The data behind a move to Texas
A source-backed Texas relocation data center for migration, jobs, homeowners insurance, traffic, county research and the practical numbers behind a move to Texas.
Texas Defined keeps these datasets separate because population estimates, migration flows, insurance records, payroll employment and traffic monitoring answer different questions and update on different schedules. They should inform a move, not be collapsed into a hidden “best city” score.
The current statewide population brief uses Census Vintage 2025. The retained 2024 brief is restated on that same vintage so historical comparisons do not mix superseded Census series.
- Texas population
- 31,709,821
- Net domestic migration
- 67,299
- 2025 average homeowners premium
- $3,506
- DFW nonfarm payrolls
- 4,363,300
Core relocation datasets
Use the right dataset for the question
Each brief publishes its source, methodology, data vintage and limits. Open the underlying brief before turning a statewide number into a local conclusion.
Relocation and migration · 2025
Texas Population and Migration Snapshot, 2025
Current Census Vintage 2025 Texas population change and components for 2024–2025.
Updated Aug 27, 2026 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 Population Estimates
Open data brief →Relocation and migration · 2024
Texas Population and Migration Snapshot, 2024 — Revised Vintage 2025
The 2023–2024 period restated on Census Vintage 2025 for consistent historical comparison.
Updated Aug 27, 2026 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 Population Estimates
Open data brief →Relocation and migration · 2024
Where New Texans Came From in 2024
The leading prior states of residence for people who moved to Texas, using the Census Bureau 2024 ACS state-to-state migration flow table.
Updated Aug 26, 2026 · U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS State-to-State Migration Flows
Open data brief →Insurance · 2025
Texas Homeowners Insurance Average Premium History
Track Texas statewide average annual homeowners premiums from 2019 through the preliminary 2025 market estimate.
Updated Aug 26, 2026 · Texas Department of Insurance homeowners insurance market overview
Open data brief →Jobs · 2026
Texas Metro Nonfarm Payroll Employment — June 2026
Compare total nonfarm payroll employment across major Texas metropolitan areas used in relocation research.
Updated Aug 26, 2026 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics metropolitan area employment table
Open data brief →Transportation · 2026
TxDOT Statewide Traffic Monitoring Coverage
Understand the scale of the Texas traffic-count system behind address, corridor and commute research.
Updated Aug 26, 2026 · Texas Department of Transportation traffic count maps
Open data brief →County-level insurance research
A statewide average is not a local quote
The Texas Department of Insurance now publishes county-level homeowners premium information from 2019 through preliminary 2025 data, plus a separate county losses tool. Use those official county views to compare the counties in a metro before requesting address-specific quotes.
Coastal research needs extra care. TDI notes that TWIA wind coverage can apply in 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County, so a homeowners premium that excludes wind is not directly comparable with an inland policy that includes wind.
Major metro research
Take the statewide data down to the place
The metro guides connect these datasets to the counties, suburbs, job market and repeated commute that actually shape a relocation decision.
Metro relocation guide
Greater Houston
Counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston
June 2026 nonfarm payrolls: 3,521,500 · BLS preliminary
Open metro guide →Metro relocation guide
Austin & Central Texas
Counties: Travis, Williamson, Hays
June 2026 nonfarm payrolls: 1,432,100 · BLS preliminary
Open metro guide →Metro relocation guide
San Antonio corridor
Counties: Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall
June 2026 nonfarm payrolls: 1,196,800 · BLS preliminary
Open metro guide →Metro relocation guide
El Paso
Counties: El Paso
June 2026 nonfarm payrolls: 365,100 · BLS preliminary
Open metro guide →Primary-source method
What to verify before you decide
U.S. Census Bureau — Vintage 2025 Population Estimates
Current consistent Texas population estimate series and components of change. Census revises the full post-2020 series with each vintage, so older vintages should not be mixed with Vintage 2025.
Coverage: Vintage 2025 state totals and components released January 27, 2026
Official source ↗U.S. Census Bureau — State-to-State Migration Flows
Latest ACS one-year state-to-state migration flow tables and margins of error.
Coverage: 2024 ACS flows released January 2026
Official source ↗U.S. Census Bureau — State-to-County Migration Flows
ACS five-year flows showing prior state of residence for people now living in a county.
Coverage: 2018–2022 ACS five-year flow file
Official source ↗U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Metropolitan Area Employment
Current metropolitan nonfarm payroll employment for Texas labor markets.
Coverage: June 2026 preliminary release; July 2026 release scheduled September 2, 2026
Official source ↗Texas Department of Insurance — Homeowners Insurance Market
Statewide premium history, insured losses, peril losses and county-level homeowners market data.
Coverage: 2025 preliminary market data and July 2026 filings
Official source ↗Texas Education Agency — Finding a School
Official district boundaries, school locations, accountability data and school-finder resources.
Coverage: Verified August 2026
Official source ↗Texas Comptroller — Local Property Appraisal and Tax Information
County appraisal districts, tax assessor-collector offices and taxing-unit contacts.
Coverage: Continuously maintained county directory
Official source ↗TxDOT — Traffic Count Maps
Statewide traffic counts, GIS count data and STARS II traffic monitoring records.
Coverage: Current TxDOT monitoring program
Official source ↗Public Utility Commission of Texas
Official electric, water and sewer utility information and address-searchable utility map viewers.
Coverage: Verified August 2026
Official source ↗FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Official National Flood Insurance Program flood maps, FIRM panels and National Flood Hazard Layer data.
Coverage: Current effective FEMA mapping
Official source ↗Relocation source registry verified August 27, 2026
Turn research into a move
Run the household numbers next
Compare cost of living
Put recurring household expenses beside the place you are considering.
Continue →Compare salary by city
Translate salary context across Texas cities without treating it as a job offer.
Continue →Model homeownership cost
Combine mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and fees.
Continue →Use the moving checklist
Move from research to driver, vehicle, school, property and arrival tasks with official-source links.
Continue →