The best places to live in Texas in 2021, from Austin to Park Cities

From an award-winning luxury community to the US-richest enclave to the greatest golf areas and waterfront neighborhoods, we have selected the best Texas has to offer the wealthy house hunter.

The interest in moving to Texas is certainly on the rise, with wealthy buyers both in the US and from international hotspots deciding to set up home in the West. Even rich Californian residents have decided to make the move, due to the benefits Texas has to offer.

As the Austin real estate advisor recently told JamesEdition, Texas has become the hottest market with high-net-worth individuals, for reasons including the lack of state income tax, as well as its business-friendly culture. Elon Musk is just one of many who has relocated to Texas to seek corporate opportunities and experience an improved quality of life. The world’s largest corporations including Tesla, Oracle and Apple are building campuses in Texas to enhance their business growth and in the near future, may move its headquarters to the state.

Despite this recent increase in popularity with business professionals, Texas has always been a firm favorite with HNW individuals, including celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, George W. Bush and George Foreman to name just a few.

With wealthy buyers from around the world now making the decision to make the transfer to Texas, we thought we should list the 43 most exclusive zip codes for upscale real estate buyers.

15. Corpus Christi: otherwise known as the “Florida in Texas” for its world-class coastal location

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 78418, 78412

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $1,424,441

Explore real estate in Corpus Christi

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8-Bedroom House in Bay Area, Corpus Christi, Texas, $2,275,000. View Listing

Corpus Christi could be considered as the ‘Florida of Texas’, thanks to its sought-after position on the bay and relaxed residential atmosphere. It’s one of the top-rated metro areas in the USA to live, based on its great quality of life and some of its most expensive postcodes include the coastal regions of Flour Blaff (78418) and Bay Area (78412), and Callalen (78410) which is surrounded by lush forestry.

Corpus Christi is one of the best places to live in Texas for families, as its beach-front position gives you the chance to enjoy a spot of yachting but is also known for its culture where you can find theaters and an annual jazz festival. Prices of real estate in this area do vary, ranging from $515,000 to $2,775,000.

14. Arlington: a trendy residential spot with laid-back Uptown feel

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 76016

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $1,471,376

Explore real estate in Arlington

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Contemporary Estate in Arlington, Texas, $2,500,000 View Listing

Situated West of Dallas, Arlington has become an extremely popular residential location in Texas for its laid-back Uptown feel, which has drawn in families and young professionals on the lookout for a free and easy way of life. Despite being on the small side in comparison to nearby cities, it still offers that buzz of the big city and is more renowned for its sports and recreational facilities which allows individuals to seek that work/life balance. House prices for upscale real estate in this location vary between min $569,000 and $2,645,000 but the most desirable zip-code for wealthy house hunters is 76016 (which is a lakefront area just near West Arlington  and Lake Arlington Golf Course).

13. San Antonio: One of the best places to live in Texas for families

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 7825778209, 7821278260, 78232

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $1,614,753

Explore real estate in San Antonio

The 43 best places to live in San Antonio, Texas for families

The Robertson House in Olmos Park (78212), San Antonio, Texas, price on request. View Listing

San Antonio is a popular choice for families, thanks to its abundance of activities and entertainment venues on the doorstep. It also boasts incredible green space which will be ideal for nature and outdoor lovers, as well as annual cultural events including Texas Folklife Festival and Fiesta San Antonio if you enjoy getting involved in local happenings. The most desirable and expensive postcodes in San Antonio include 78257 (Forest Crest), 78209 (Alamo Heights), 78212 (Olmos Park), 78260 (Timberwood park) and 78232 (Hill Country Village enclave), with upscale house prices ranging between $492,575 and $7,000,000.

12. Houston: a most global and diverse metropolitan area, known as ‘Bayou city’ for its winding waterways

Top zip codes on JamesEdition:  77024, 77019, 77042, 77027, 77056, 77007

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $1,839,907

Explore real estate in Houston

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Modern house at 23 W Rivercrest Drive, Briarforest (77042), Houston, Texas, USA View Listing

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the USA and it’s no surprise why it is set to have a population surge of 1.2 in the next few years. With a booming job market, and sunny weather all year round, it is certainly a great choice for young professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking for new opportunities. Alongside the corporate benefits, there are also plenty of recreational and cultural activities to enjoy including theaters, museums, sports and shopping. Due to the large scale of the city, neighbourhoods are extremely different, but some of the most exclusive ones include 77024 (Hedwig Village), 77019 (Hyde Park), 77042 (Briarforest), 77027 (River Oaks), 77056 (West Oaks), 77007 (Rice Military) with property prices ranging between $490,000 to $34,5000.

11. Frisco: one of the best places to live in the Dallas metropolitan area

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 75034

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $1,990,489

Explore real estate in Frisco

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4-bedroom house in Frisco, Texas, $2,100,000. View Listing

It’s hard to believe that just 30 years ago, Frisco, just 20 minutes north of Dallas was a quiet suburb with a population of just 6,000 and has now acquired over 190,000 esidents and several major corporate transfers thanks to the immense opportunities on offer. It is now the second-fastest city in the U.S Despite its relatively low population, there is still plenty to see and do in the city – pay a visit to the National Videogame Museum, listen to live music at Frisco Rail Yard or even set up your own retail business in the 9 million square foot retail complex. The exclusive 75034 zip code has property prices ranging between $775,000 to $3,845,000.

10. Weatherfield: a traditional Texas lifestyle and charming lakefront areas

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 76087

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,015,650

Explore real estate in Weatherfield 

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Dolce Vita Ranch in Holland Lake Park (76087), Weatherford, $7,950,000. View Listing

If you’re hoping to live a traditional Texan lifestyle, Weatherford is certainly for you. There are ranches and wide-open spaces galore to enjoy standard country living while being just 20 minutes from the amenities and excitement of Dallas. Living in the zip code of 76087 (Holland Lake Park) is where you’ll discover large country houses, while 76099 (Holland Lake Park) is home to old-fashioned farm cottages to enjoy a laid-back and simple lifestyle. Prices of properties ranging between $649,900 and $8,200,000.

9. Fort Worth: a modern city with bustling cultural life

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 76107, 76179, 76109

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,053,149

Explore real estate in Fort Worth 

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A Colonial Revival estate in the heart of Westover (76107), Fort Worth, Texas, $3,250,000. View Listing

Ranked the 13th largest and one of the highest-growing cities in the USA, Fort Worth is a location for those who wish to appreciate Texas’ Western legacy. Interestingly, its downtown area fuses historic cowboy culture with a modern metropolitan feel – in which you can find world-class music venues, restaurants and museums. The residential areas are charming and laid-back and offer impressive corporate opportunities. You will pay a minimum price of $499.999 in this area, with a maximum price of $10,500,000 in the zip codes of 76107 (Westover Hills), 76179 (Eagle Mountain) and 76109 (Overton Woods).

8. Plano: a green business hub for some of the country’s largest non-tech companies

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 75093, 75024

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,208,600

Explore real estate in Plano

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3-acre estate in Willow Bend Country (75093), Plano, Texas, $4,800,000. View Listing

In 2017, Plano was ranked in the top 100 places to live, so if you’re considering moving to Texas in the near future, it is a great option. It is home to a thriving downtown area with office spaces, retail and over 700 restaurants, as well as a notable hotspot for schools and universities, which is beneficial for giving your children the best academic start to life. Living in the top zip codes in Plano (75093 and 75024) will cost you between $1275,000 and $4,800,000.

7. The Woodlands: an award-winning luxury master-planned community

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 77382

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,359,471

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Mediterranean-style home in the Woodlands, Texas, $1,820,000. View Listing

The Woodlands is an award-winning luxury master-planned community that truly allows you to experience urban modern life on your doorstep. Originating back in 1974 by founder George Mitchell, it provides the perfect balance between working, playing and learning. It is the ideal location for start-up businesses and those who wish to enjoy the cultural delights of a metropolitan city. In the top zip code of 77382 (Sterling Ridge / Alden Bridge), you can expect to find property prices ranging from between $505,000 and $6,499,000.

6. Dallas: yet another city that (almost) never sleeps but with fewer rainy days in the calendar

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 75229, 75248, 7520975201, 75220, 75230, 75219

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,468,129

Explore real estate in Dallas 

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Contemporary house with pool in Bluffview (75209), Dallas, Texas, $5,895,000. View Listing

You simply couldn’t list the best places in Texas without mentioning the world-famous city of Dallas. There’s no doubt that Dallas is booming – thanks to the upsurge of cultural activities, restaurants and the lively downtown commercial district. Dallas is perfect for both entrepreneurs and families alike, but the large bustling vibe is certainly a draw for professionals thanks to the job market opportunities on offer. Due to the large scale of Dallas, it can be difficult to identify the perfect spot to settle down but we have listed the most exclusive areas as follows: 75229 (Loryland), 75248 (Far North Dallas), 75209 (Bluffview / Greenway Parks), 75201 (Downtown center), 75220 (North West Dallas), 75230, (North Dallas) 75219 (Turtle Creek Oak Lawn) with property prices ranging between $499,000 and $15,750,000.

5. Flower Mound: the town with 54 parks and 693 acres of recreation facilities

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 75022

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,568,571

Explore real estate in Flower Mound

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5-Bedroom House in Flower Mound, Texas, $979,000. View Listing

The Town of Flower Mound operates 54 public parks and recreation facilities on 693 acres (280 ha) of space, nine of which (comprising 70 acres [28 ha]) are undeveloped as of 2012. It also hosts at least 5 art museum designs by internationally recognized architects, including Philip Johnson and  David M. Schwarz.

91.9% of properties in Flower Mound are detached which is ideal for the growing family and are especially sought-after in the lakeside 75022 top zip code location. Property prices in this city range from $979,000 and $9,300,000.

4. Horseshoe Bay: the perfect location for golf enthusiasts

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 78657

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $2,875,755

Explore real estate in Horseshoe Bay

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Lakefront House at 1313 Apache Tears, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, $5,950,000. View Listing

The city of Horseshoe Bay was developed in the 1970s as a retirement community on the LBJ lake and is home to world-class golf courses. If you’re hoping for that laid-back life while still being close to amenities, this destination is certainly one to consider. The most exclusive south lakeside zip code of 78657 is home to properties ranging between $756,800 and $5,950,000.

3. Austin: the best place to live in Texas for digital nomad capitalists

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 78746, 78703, 78738, 78701, 78735, 78734

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $3,218,700

Explore real estate in Austin

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Modern House in the heart of West Lake Hills (78746), Austin, Texas, price on request. View Listing

The State capital of Texas; Austin is set to become the USA’s housing market in 2021, according to experts. One of the reasons for this is due to the fact that many tech companies are now moving to the area from nearby California, including big names such as Apple, Tesla and Amazon. What’s more, the capital offers a large number of family-sized homes, a thriving economy and of course, plenty of entertainment and cultural aspects. The top zip codes of 78746 (West Lake Hills), 78703 (Westfield / Clarksville), 78738 (Bee Cave), 78701 (Congress Ave District) 78735 (Sunset Valley) 78734 (Hudson Bend) are the most sought-after residential areas in the city and property prices range from between $500,000 and $21,500,000.

2. Dripping Springs: the best outdoors in Texas

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 78620

Average housing price on JamesEdition:  $3,339,600

Explore real estate in Dripping Springs 

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Home on 20 private acres, Dripping Springs, Texas, $3,349,000. View Listing

Dripping Springs is great for those looking to get out in the outdoors and appreciate the simplicity of life. It offers that perfect blend of peace and quiet with the hustle and bustle of the downtown region. It is, however, best known for its towering hills and river, but in just a few minutes you can enjoy the slightly busier atmosphere of the city center with its bars, coffee shops and stores. The most exclusive zip code in this area is 78620, with house prices ranging from $749,000 and $5,900,000.

1. Park Cities: the most affluent location in Texas

Top zip codes on JamesEdition: 75205, 75219

Average housing price on JamesEdition: $4,503,625

The 43 best place in Park Cities, Texas to live with family

Modern limestone house in Old Highland Park (75205), Texas, $9,450,000. View Listing

Park Cities ( Highland Park and University Park) is ranked the 7th wealthiest location in the U.S.A, so if you’re looking to reside with fellow elite individuals; you should be browsing for properties in the zip codes of 75205 and 75219. In this area, house prices are not substantially higher than most other cities in Texas, with a minimum price of $570,000 and a maximum price of $15,750,000.

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