Looking for the best place to live in Texas? A new report ranks the top counties across the Lone Star State — and the winner might surprise you.
It’s not home to any of Texas’ biggest cities — not Austin, not Houston, not San Antonio or Dallas — but it sits just a short drive away, quietly climbing the charts in quality of life, family-friendliness, and opportunity.
The Niche list evaluated Texas’ counties based on nearly a dozen factors, including public school ratings, cost of living, job opportunities and access to amenities. Each category was assigned a letter grade using data from the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Centers for Disease Control and other sources.
Here’s how the top Lone Star State’s counties stacked up and why.
Texas’ top 10 counties, according to Niche
Where is Collin County? Map shows 10 best counties to live in Texas
Why Collin is the best county in Texas to live in
Collin County — home to booming cities like Frisco, Plano, and McKinney — has become one of the most rapidly developing regions in the United States, even claiming the nation’s fastest-growing city: Princeton.
Fueled by a surge in population, the county has attracted major investments. The Dallas Cowboys relocated their world headquarters to Frisco, and Universal Studios is developing a first-of-its-kind theme park designed specifically for families.
Collin County also boasts one of the top-rated public school districts in Texas and ranks as the healthiest county in the state, according to Niche, which awarded the county an overall grade of A+.
Here’s how the county scored across key categories:
Despite a lower mark for cost of living, Collin County continues to thrive as one of the most sought-after places to live, work, and raise a family in Texas.
A four-year resident shared their experience living in Collin County.
“My experience has been very satisfying and gratifying compared to living near downtown Dallas and commuting to and from downtown Dallas,” the user wrote. “Collin County is much more spacious and much more manicured that some places in Dallas. There seems to be many public & private schools available. It’s the dream suburbia lifestyle that many find desirable. I highly recommend branching out into Collin County to start a family or even start a business.”
How the ranking was determined
Niche ranked Texas’ counties based on how livable they are, using data from the U.S. Census and other reliable sources. The goal was to measure the overall quality of life in each area by looking at factors that matter most to residents.
These included things like:
Niche also considered feedback from people who lived in each county to help shape the rankings.
Each category was assigned a letter grade, and these grades were combined to determine an overall score for each county.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: This county was named the best to live in Texas in 2025. And no, it’s not Travis County.
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
