Texas ranked as the third-worst state to move to in 2024, according to a study conducted by ConsumerAffairs.
Tha rank weights different indexes of affordability, economy, education, health, quality of life and safety, to grade states. Texas ranked as the worst state to move in, following just New Mexico and California.
The study cites that Texas has one of the worst quality of education and health care in all the U.S. According to the ranking, the state has the lowest percentage of population covered by insurance, the second-lowest high school graduation rate, and is ranked in the bottom quarter of quality of health care.
In addition, Texas was one of the worst states in terms of affordability and was one of the states with highest crime rates.
The report contradicts migratory numbers. According to the United States Census Bureau, more than nine million people moved to Texas between 2000 and 2022, making it one of the states receiving the largest number of newcomers.
However, recent reports are saying that people are regretting their move to the state.
Heather Nickens, a conservative Christian who moved to Texas from California in 2022 said she moved to the state hoping to find a more affordable place, but was shocked with the reality.
“When people say Texas is so much cheaper, I think, well, it is to some degree,” she told Business Insider. “My rent was cheaper, but my car insurance went up. There are no state taxes, but the property taxes are way higher. I just didn’t see a big enough change in the cost of living.”
One of the things that save the state for a lower spot in the ranking is that, according to the study, it has good weather. However, this might be one of the most challenging aspects of Texas to newcomers.
“I did nothing in Texas because the weather was so brutal,” Nickens said. “You couldn’t even go outside. I didn’t realize how much I really loved being outside until I moved to Texas.”
Natural disasters are common in the state and the extreme heat is also deadly.
In addition, Texas recently ranked as the worst state to live in by CNBC.