Texas Cost of Living vs OH

Quote from nic3456 : I'm looking at relocating to Texas, one of the perks I thought was that the cost of living was so cheap, but its not appearing that way. Granted I will definitly be able to get a nicer house for the same price, but otherwise it almost appears to be a wash. I'm moving from Central Ohio to the DFW area.

Where will you be working? What part of DFW do you want to live? There are wide variations in costs of housing of course, as well as what electric service is available in your area (Texas is deregulated and there are various electric providers for the most part, but some areas are served by co-ops and I don't think you can opt out of them), also city services cost more in some cities vs others.

Quote : Elec/Gas/Water - seems to be about (~$75/month higher than OH, $300 for 2500 sq ft)

Electric rates are mainly influenced by the price of natural gas, when it goes up rates go up, and as low as rates are now, it would probably be good to lock them up for as long as possible. I locked in last May at 9.7 cents/kwh. But I have paid as high as 13 cents in some years when natural gas was higher... but flex plans in those years were up to 17-18 cents kwh... and that high rate is always in the summer, and you'll get killed on the bill if you are not prepared, and energy conscious. I locked in on year at 12.4 and my dad did a variable rate plan... at the end of the year we did the math and despite his very high bills in the summer, his variable rate plan actually saved him money over the long term... (I think it might have been $20) but I didn't want to trade my $250 (peak) summer electric bill for a $350 one.

I would recommend a one story home, btw, preferably one with mature trees providing shade over the western exposure. (No Silver Leaf Maples or Bradford Pears though... they will fall on your house in the strong storms we have.) This will be harder to find in newer homes b/c the good sized homes (2000 sq and up) are mostly two stories now... but you will spend a fortune trying to cool the upstairs in the summer even with two units. With one unit you will spend a fortune and you'll not be comfortable upstairs. Most of the newer 2 stories don't have a lot of attic above the 2nd story either. You will come to appreciate things like insulation and trees. If you do get a two story, you want dual zone climate for sure.

Another poster said there is no difference between electric companies, and that is not true. Visit www.powertochoose.org to shop rates where you will be living. I just put in my zip and 12 month fixed rates with one company are 8.3 c/kwh, and the highest 12 month rate is currently 12.3 c/kwh (with some various loyalty rebates). That's a $43 difference over 1000 kwh. That stuff adds up fast in the summer.

So it pays to stay on top of that, and be aware that when you switch companies it takes 60 days to do so, and some charge a fee (often pro-rated) if you switch before your contract is up.... but when that contract is getting to be up for renewal within 2 months, it's time to shop & switch so you don't get dumped into their standard rate for very long. Sometimes I renew with my existing company if they are competitive.

Quote : *Less Cost in Texas* No State Tax (~4-5% OH) No Local Income Tax (~2.5% Columbus) *More Cost in Texas* Property tax 2.5-3% (vs ~2%) Car Insurance (quoted rates that are more than double OH) Homeowners Insurance (rate ~60% higher than OH)

Car insurance is also a factor of where you live and work. Denton county is far cheaper for both auto and homeowners insurance... although insurance companies will ask you how far you commute to work and factor that in to make you pay more. Maybe you "telecommute" most days so that's not a factor for you .

Quote : Has anyone done a simliar move and had any good/bad surprises? Anything I'm missing? I haven't been able to get good estimates for food, but I'm assuming it won't be a huge difference? The various websites of bestplaces.net, etc really don't seem to be very accurate when I really get into the details.

Food prices also vary in different areas of DFW, depending on how robust the grocery store competition is in that particular city.

Another poster mentioned HOA fees, and that is largely a function of newer gated and master planned communities. Those are more common in exurbs like Frisco, McKinney, Allen, etc. But less common in the older suburbs, and Denton county suburbs. There are plenty of nice areas w/o an HOA.