"Don't Mess With Texas" is more than a motto; the statement permeates the land and culture of the Lone Star State. With a southern border adjacent to Mexico, a good portion of the state is influenced by Hispanic culture and lifestyle. Major urban centers are located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. That said, plenty of towns dot the state, making Texas the second most populous state in the U.S. Texas also has a major manufacturing base, consistently leading the country in exports of both raw and finished goods, along with a deep industry base in energy, technology, aerospace, electronics, and biomedical production.
The Lone Star State, the second largest by area, is home to more than 31 million residents (roughly 31.7 million as of the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate) and has been the nation's fastest-growing state by raw numbers in recent years. The Texas economy is enormous: gross state product topped $2.7 trillion in 2024, a figure that would rank among the largest national economies in the world. There is no state income tax, which has made Texas a popular destination for residents of other states, and it is widely considered one of the most business-friendly states in the country.
The Cities of TX
As of 2025, the typical Texas home is valued at around $300,000, according to Zillow's Home Value Index. However, as you already know, Texas is an enormous state, and home prices can vary greatly from one city to another. Fast-growing metros and desirable lake, hill-country, and suburban communities command far higher prices, while many smaller cities remain considerably more affordable. All told, Texas has dozens of cities with a population of 100,000 people or more.
Houston
Population: approximately 2.4 million (2024)
Houston is the 4th largest American city, anchoring a metro area of more than 7 million people. It is home to one of the largest concentrations of Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. city, and Texas as a whole now leads every state in the number of Fortune 500 companies. The local economy is driven by energy, manufacturing, health care, and the busy Port of Houston.
San Antonio
Population: approximately 1.5 million (2024)
San Antonio has grown rapidly over the past couple of decades and ranks among the largest cities in the nation. The city is perhaps best known as the home of the NBA's Spurs, five-time league champions. The military has played a large role in San Antonio's growth, with multiple installations located in and around the city. San Antonio is also a popular tourist destination, where visitors take in sights like the Alamo and the River Walk.
Dallas
Population: approximately 1.3 million (2024)
Dallas anchors the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, whose total population exceeds 8 million, making it the largest metro area in Texas and one of the largest in the country. Dallas is home to major employers including Comerica Bank, AT&T, and American Airlines (headquartered in neighboring Fort Worth).
Fort Worth
Population: approximately 1 million (2024)
Fort Worth has been one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States and crossed the 1 million mark in 2024, edging past Austin to become the state's fourth-largest city. Long known for its Stockyards and Western heritage, Fort Worth today supports a diverse economy spanning aviation, defense, logistics, and financial services.
Austin
Population: approximately 990,000 (2024)
Austin is the state capital and the location of the University of Texas at Austin, one of the top public universities in the nation. The local population is exceptionally well educated, and many major corporations, including Dell, Tesla, and Whole Foods Market, call the Austin area home.
Interest Rates - Local Financial Institutions
With its enormous population and economy, Texas is also a force to be reckoned with when it comes to banking. As we mentioned earlier, Comerica Bank is headquartered in Dallas, and many of the major national banks operate extensive branch networks serving Texas businesses and residents. Of course, there are also many local banks, some of which are very large, and credit unions to choose from. Below, we've listed a selection of financial institutions operating in the state. If you want a more complete list, check out this link from the Texas Department of Banking.
Local banks / banks headquartered in TX:
- Frost Bank
- Prosperity Bank
- Amegy Bank
- PlainsCapital Bank
- Woodforest National Bank
- Amarillo National Bank
- Southside Bank
- Veritex Community Bank
Among the largest credit unions:
- Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
- Security Service Federal Credit Union
- TDECU
- American Airlines Federal Credit Union
- GECU
- Navy Army Community Credit Union
- University Federal Credit Union
- JSC Federal Credit Union
National banks with local branches:
- Chase Bank
- Bank of America
- Wells Fargo
- Capital One
- Citibank
- Regions Bank
- PNC Bank
- Northern Trust
Whether you're new to the Lone Star State or a long-time resident, there's no shortage of choices for all your banking needs. Choice is good, but sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming. RateZip.com can help you sort through these financial institutions and compare rates on just about any consumer banking product.
Texas Mortgage Loans
Many people have considered relocating to Texas, drawn by its jobs, culture, and lack of a state income tax. RateZip.com can help with such planning, providing a detailed database of mortgage rates and lending options for the region from Texas banks and lenders. Because rates change constantly, it's always best to compare current, personalized quotes rather than rely on any single advertised number.
As with banking, there are many choices when it comes to who to work with for your mortgage loan. The first option that many think of is a bank or credit union, perhaps the one they already bank with. That can work out, but a mortgage is a major financial decision, so it's important to do some comparison shopping. You may find a better deal from a mortgage bank, a company that focuses solely on originating home loans.
First-time buyers in Texas may also want to explore assistance offered through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), whose My First Texas Home program pairs a fixed-rate mortgage with down payment and closing-cost assistance for eligible buyers. Homeowners across the state should also consider the major federal loan programs: FHA mortgages, VA loans, and USDA home loans.
FHA home loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and remain a popular choice for many borrowers. The FHA offers a strong option for first-time home buyers who may not have enough saved for a 20% down payment or who have a less-than-perfect credit score. Although you'll pay mortgage insurance premiums, an FHA loan can make homeownership possible for a potentially underserved segment of the population.
VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and are available to eligible veterans, service members, and certain surviving spouses. Like FHA loans, a VA mortgage typically requires little or no down payment and has more flexible credit standards than conventional loans.
USDA home loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These mortgages are designed for people buying in eligible rural and small-town areas who earn no more than 115% of the local median income. Though Texas is full of big cities, there are many areas where a USDA mortgage can make sense.