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Tyler

Texas · East Texas
No Income TaxDance: DevelopingWarmBudget Cost
55
/ 100 match score

Tyler is East Texas's largest city — the Rose Capital of America. City-wide crime is elevated, but affluent suburbs (Whitehouse, Lindale, Chapel Hill) are significantly safer. CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances is a genuine regional medical hub. Beautiful pine forest setting.

Match Score Breakdown
Cost of Living
20/20
Family Safety
2/20
State Tax Burden
10/10
Healthcare Quality
13/20
Dance Training
3/12
Musical Theater
2/8
Career / Remote
5/10
Financial Snapshot at $360K Income
State income tax
$0
Texas advantage
Est. after-tax income
$267,175
incl. FICA + federal
Annual living costs
$72,000
$60,000–$84,000 range
Annual surplus
+$195,175
King: 3.7×
FICA (7.65%)
$27,540/yr
Rent: 3BR family home
$1,400–$1,900/mo
Median SFH purchase
$280,000
Dance Training
East Texas Ballet exists and is growing. Longview area also has options. For professional-track training, DFW is 2 hours away. Limited but not zero.
Healthcare
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System is a genuine regional hub — cancer center, cardiac care, level II trauma. Surprisingly excellent for a city this size.
Career & Remote Work
Limited local tech market — remote only. Tyler is growing as a remote worker destination for people leaving DFW. AT&T Fiber and Suddenlink both available.
Musical Theater
Developing
Tyler has local community theater and Tyler ISD performing arts programs, but no recognized pre-professional youth MT conservatory or national-competition studio exists locally. Tyler Junior College has theatrical productions. For a daughter with serious MT ambitions, the local training ceiling is low and DFW is 2 hours — a significant barrier. Adequate for beginning-level participation.
Safety
Violent crime rate:650 per 100KSuburban Focus Required

US national average: ~370/100K. For cities with elevated rates, target specific suburban ISD neighborhoods — actual neighborhood crime is 40–60% below city average.

Internet Quality
Good500+ Mbps
AT&T Fiber and Suddenlink both serve Tyler. Most residential areas have 500Mbps+ options. Gigabit available in newer developments.
Pros
  • +Very affordable — strong purchasing power at $360K income
  • +CHRISTUS Mother Frances — exceptional regional hospital
  • +No state income tax + extremely low cost base
  • +Beautiful East Texas pine forests
  • +Slower quality pace of life
Cons
  • −City-wide crime elevated — suburban focus essential
  • −Limited dance infrastructure
  • −Limited local tech jobs — must be fully remote
  • −Far from major metro (DFW is 2 hours)
Quick Stats
School rating
7/10
Healthcare rating
8/10
Tech job market
fair
Remote friendly
Yes

Financial estimates: $360K gross income, FICA 7.65% + federal MFJ 2026 brackets ($30K standard deduction). Texas has no state income tax. Does not include property tax (TX rates 1.5–2.5% of assessed value, varies by county) or HOA. Actual liability varies — consult a CPA.