What is the most affordable and best gay city to live in Texas?
Find out which city in Texas is the most LGBTQ-friendliness here. Then, start reaching financial sustainability and independence by eliminating credit card debt with the free 7-Step Credit Card Debt Slasher.
Watch more on the best gay city to live in Texas
Which city gets the top best gay city to live in Texas?
Just off of the Gulf of Mexico and on US/Mexico border, Brownsville does rank in middle on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index with a 46 out of 100 rating. It is, however, one of only 14 cities with a ranking in the huge state of Texas with many, many cities.
Rent in Brownsville averages $1,211 a month, putting it in the middle for Texas. Housing is at the lower end for Texas averaging about $160,000. Its cost of living, which is really low compared to the national average at 73%, one of the lowest in Texas, is what makes Brownsville rank so high on our rating.
However, income is at the low end for Texas. This makes Brownsville a prime candidate for creating a welcoming environment for all people to attract some of the best and brightest talents in the country. So, do you HRC MEI homework Brownsville?
The winner for Texas’s most affordable, most LGBTQ+-friendly city is Amarillo, TX!
Why?
While Amarillo also ranks in middle for HRC’s MEI at 43 out of 100, its median and average income ranks in the top quartile for Texas. This really pushes it high on our affordability categories.
Amarillo rent is $1,319 a month, which is also in middle for Texas, and housing costs are below average at $193,000. The cost of living is also really low compared to the national average of 78%.
The incomes are where it’s at for Amarillo, which makes it a prime candidate for attracting the best and brightest talent. So, do you HRC MEI homework, too, Amarillo?
Other great things about Amarillo’s income are that it’s in the Texas panhandle and on the historic Route 66.
From what we’ve researched, Amarillo is known for hospitality, even for LGBTQ+ people. It has a small but close community, which makes it attractive for the LGBTQ+ person who wants a quieter way of life.
Amarillo was also named ‘Most Friendly City in Texas’ by Advocate in 2006 and the ‘4th Gayest City in America’ by Advocate in 2010.
One of its most popular and ornate bars with many LGBTQ+ events is the 212 Club. Panhandle Pride is typically at the end of June, with between 3,000 and 4,000 attendees.
Why isn’t Austin the most affordable, most LGBTQ+-friendly city in Texas with its 100 HRC MEI? Because it’s expensive
Austin has the most expensive rent and housing costs and the highest cost of living. It does, also, have the highest average income and second highest median income, but they don’t really offset its expenses.
Why isn’t Dallas the most affordable, most LGBTQ+-friendly city in Texas with its 100 HRC MEI? It’s also expensive with the second most expensive for rent and housing costs and its cost of living.
Finally, why isn’t San Antonio the most affordable, most LGBTQ+-friendly city in Texas with its 100 HRC MEI? To be honest, it was our best guess for the winner, and if we had a second runner-up, San Antonio would be it. San Antonio is just slightly above average for everything money and also has a 100 on HRC’s MEI. In totality, San Antonio may be many of your’s runners-up.
Previous Bonus Podcast Episodes
- The Best Gay City to Live in Utah
- The Best Gay City to Live in Virginia
- The Best Gay City to Live in Washington
Click below to listen to this bonus episode