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Quality of Life in Texarkana, TX
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
26% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Texarkana, TX for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $16k | $30k |
| Comfortable | $31k | $46k |
| Luxury | $89k+ | $138k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $126k+ | $195k+ |
108%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
6 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
7 within 20 miles
Airport
DFW — Dallas/Fort Worth International
Post Office
USPS — Texarkana, TX
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Texarkana, Texas, presents a notably affordable quality of life that attracts a mix of working families, military-connected households, and retirees seeking a lower cost of living without sacrificing regional amenities. The city’s cost of living index sits at 74 (100 = U.S. average), making it significantly cheaper than both the national norm and larger Texas metros like Dallas or Houston. The population skews slightly older and more family-oriented than the state average, with a strong presence of employees tied to the Red River Army Depot and local healthcare systems like CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how Texarkana compares to nearby cities
Housing is the primary driver of Texarkana’s affordability. The median home value is $159,700, roughly half the national median and far below the Texas state median of about $300,000. Median rent sits at $990, which is well under the national average of $1,400 and significantly cheaper than rents in Shreveport (about $1,100) or Tyler ($1,200). For context, a household earning the local median income of roughly $52,000 can comfortably afford a mortgage on a median-priced home with a standard 20% down payment. The average commute time is 16 minutes, among the shortest in the state for a micropolitan area, meaning residents spend far less time and money on transportation than those in Dallas (28-minute average) or Little Rock (22 minutes). Utility costs and grocery prices also track below national averages, reinforcing the overall low cost of living.
What daily life is like for families: schools, amenities, and local rhythm
Daily life in Texarkana revolves around a slower, more predictable pace than in larger cities. The Texarkana Independent School District (TISD) serves the Texas side, with Texas High School and Pleasant Grove Independent School District (just outside city limits) consistently ranking among the region’s top performers for college readiness. For recreation, the city offers Spring Lake Park (a 200-acre lake with walking trails and a golf course) and the nearby Wright Patman Lake, a 20,000-acre reservoir popular for fishing and boating. The Perot Theatre, a restored 1924 vaudeville house, hosts touring Broadway shows and concerts. Retail and dining cluster along the I-30 corridor and around Central Mall, but the city lacks the dense nightlife or cultural districts found in larger metros. Healthcare is anchored by CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and Wadley Regional Medical Center, both providing specialty care that reduces the need to travel to Shreveport or Dallas for routine procedures.
Texarkana is best suited for individuals and families who prioritize low housing costs, short commutes, and a quiet, community-oriented lifestyle over urban career density or high-end cultural amenities. Remote workers, military retirees, and employees in manufacturing or healthcare will find the affordability and stability appealing. Those seeking vibrant nightlife, extensive public transit, or a fast-paced job market should look toward larger cities. For anyone wanting to stretch a fixed income or raise a family without the financial strain of a major metro, Texarkana offers a practical, grounded alternative.
Crime in Texarkana, TX
Higher crime rates than 59% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Texarkana, Texas, presents a crime and safety profile that demands careful consideration from potential residents. With a violent crime rate of 651.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,835.1 per 100,000, the city's overall safety picture is significantly more challenging than both state and national averages. These figures place Texarkana in a higher-risk category, particularly for violent offenses, which are nearly double the national median.
Crime in context
To understand Texarkana's standing, it is essential to compare its rates to broader benchmarks. The national violent crime rate typically hovers around 380 to 400 per 100,000, meaning Texarkana's rate of 651.7 is roughly 60-70% higher. Property crime in the city also exceeds the national average of approximately 2,000 per 100,000 by a substantial margin. When measured against Texas state averages—which themselves are often elevated in certain categories—Texarkana still registers as a higher-crime community. This context is critical: the city is not merely experiencing typical urban crime but is operating at levels that warrant heightened awareness and proactive safety measures.
What residents experience
For those living in Texarkana, the elevated crime rates translate into tangible daily concerns. Property crime, including burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft, is the most common threat, affecting neighborhoods across the city. Residents frequently report issues with vehicle break-ins and package thefts, particularly in areas with easy highway access. Violent crime, while less frequent than property crime, is a serious concern, with aggravated assault being the most reported violent offense. The presence of a progressive judicial philosophy in the local justice system—where district attorneys and judges may prioritize rehabilitation over strict sentencing—can contribute to a revolving-door effect for repeat offenders. This approach, while well-intentioned, often results in criminals returning to the streets quickly, undermining public confidence in safety and justice for victims.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety in Texarkana is not uniform across the city. The downtown core and areas near the interstate tend to experience higher concentrations of both property and violent crime. In contrast, established residential neighborhoods on the city's north and west sides, such as those near Spring Lake Park or the Pleasant Grove area, generally report lower crime rates. Gated communities and newer subdivisions also tend to have fewer incidents. However, even in safer pockets, residents should remain vigilant, as property crime can occur anywhere. The city's unique position straddling the Texas-Arkansas border also means that criminal activity can cross jurisdictional lines, complicating law enforcement efforts and sometimes creating gaps in coverage. For those considering a move, researching specific block-level crime data and speaking with local police precincts is strongly advised.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-29T02:34:15.000Z
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