The cost of living is one of the first things that crosses our mind when considering retirement. Do you have enough in your budget to allow you to continue the lifestyle you’re accustomed to? Does your budget allow you to live comfortably in the city you’re in?
You may have never planned on moving but when the average cost of living in a city outweighs your retirement fund or social security benefits, moving becomes a more appealing option.
Paris, Texas, is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for retirees, with more resources than ever, a lower cost of living and only a short drive from Dallas.
Paris, Texas
Cost of living for retirees: 10.0% below U.S. average
Texas’s tax rating for retirees: Tax-Friendly
With a population of fewer than 30,000 people, the small city of Paris offers retirees big savings. Overall, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, with housing-related costs extremely affordable at 27% below average.
Only 104 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Dallas, the overall cost of living in Paris is 11% cheaper than the big city. The biggest savings for the retiree is housing, which comes in at 21% below the average cost in the metroplex. While transportation sits 4% above the average cost in Dallas (less population means less transportation in Paris), Paris does offer a local bus service and taxies.
While the population of Paris is considerably less than neighboring towns, the trade population competes with some of the bigger cities, with over 170,000 on average doing business and visiting the city. Paris also offers all the amenities you’d find in larger towns, including major chain stores, restaurants and more.
In Paris, you can enjoy boutique shopping, quaint restaurants and over a multitude of free community events throughout the year. If spending your days sight-seeing is what you enjoy, Paris has an abundance of history (see the history of Paris here) and multiple landmarks to visit. Paris also boasts the third-largest Eiffel Tower in the world and, of course, it wouldn’t be Texas without a giant cowboy hat on top (a must see).
