Why Small Texas Towns Are Attracting New Residents

Texas Is Getting Safer, Especially in West Texas

Texas is growing, in people, in opportunity, and yes, in safety too. While big cities like Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin still face serious crime challenges, the smaller towns and rural areas across West Texas and the Hill Country are proving to be some of the safest places to live in the Lone Star State.

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The Big Cities Still Struggle

Let’s be honest, Texas’ national safety ranking isn’t the best. WalletHub recently placed Texas 48th out of 50 states in overall safety. The reason? Major metro areas continue to drive those numbers down. Big cities come with big problems: higher violent crime, more thefts, more carjackings, and less peace of mind. Even with progress in places like San Antonio (which saw a nearly 20% drop in violent crime this year), the sheer volume of incidents in urban areas keeps Texas low on the safety list.

Smaller Towns Tell a Different Story

But that’s not the full picture. Out here in West Texas, in places like Abilene, Sweetwater, San Angelo, Brownwood, and Snyder, life is quieter, calmer, and safer. You’ve got neighbors who still wave, officers who know your name, and a whole lot less chaos. That same story holds true across the Texas Hill Country, where tight-knit communities, proactive policing, and strong family values create a much safer environment, according to SafeWise.com.

Why It Matters

People from California, New York, and Illinois are moving here in droves, and not just for the jobs or barbecue. They’re looking for a better quality of life. And they’re finding it in small-town Texas. Add in smarter policing, new technology, and Operation Lone Star’s crackdown on border crime, and it’s no surprise that Texas is slowly but surely getting safer.

Final Thought

So yes, we’ve got work to do, especially in the urban cores, but the good news is: Texas is trending safer, especially outside the big cities. And if you're thinking about making a move, maybe it’s time to give West Texas or the Hill Country a closer look. Life’s just a little better, and a whole lot safer, out here.

“As someone who’s lived in West Texas most of my life, I can tell you firsthand, this is still one of the safest, most neighborly places in America.”