Texas is a huge state of more than 268,000 square miles and 1,800 cities and towns. Even so, there are less than a handful of places where retirees can live on $2,000 a month — none of which are major cities you normally hear about, like Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

                By                    Cynthia Measom

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If you’re considering the Lone Star State as a place to relocate during your golden years, take a look at the three best places to retire in Texas on $2,000 a month.

Killeen, Texas

  • One-bedroom rent: $786.89
  • Monthly expenditures: $1,647.72

Killeen, Texas, is located in east-central Texas and has a population of about 156,000, according to the latest U.S. census. It has a 65-and-over population of 11% and is also home to Fort Hood Army Base. Thousands of active military and veterans live in the area. The city is only one hour and 10 minutes from Austin and about 2.5 hours from Dallas. It’s much more affordable than both, though. 

Killeen has a livability score of 67, which is considered average. Factors that play into the city’s livability score include a crime rate that’s 20% lower than the Texas average. Its cost of living and rental prices are also 4% lower than the Texas average. Monthly grocery costs in Killeen are a modest $399.68, while monthly healthcare costs are $461.15.

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Midland, Texas

  • One-bedroom rent: $736.89
  • Monthly expenditures: $1,660.82

Midland, Texas, is located in West Texas about halfway between El Paso and Fort Worth. It has a population of 168,000, according to the most recent U.S. census. Midland is home to a host of attractions, including the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, the Marion Blakemore Planetarium, the George W. Bush Family Home, the 1-20 Wildlife Preserve, the Haley Library and History Center and the Midland Rockhounds baseball team. It’s also a three-hour drive from Big Bend National Park.

The percentage of the population that is 65 and over in Midland is 10%. Midland’s livability score is 72, which is considered excellent. Contributing factors include the crime rate, which is 9% below the Texas average, and the city’s amenities, which include grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, libraries and parks. Monthly grocery costs in Midland are $427.98 and monthly healthcare costs are $497.95.

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Abilene, Texas

  • One-bedroom rent: $759.78
  • Monthly expenditures: $1692.28

Abilene, Texas, is located in west-central Texas and is about 150 miles west of Fort Worth. It has a population of approximately 125,000, according to the latest census.

The city has plenty of attractions for Texas history buffs, including Frontier, Texas!, an interactive museum focused on the early days of Abilene and the Old West. There’s also Fort Phantom Hill, the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, the Grace Museum, the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene and the Abilene Zoo.

Abilene has a livability score of 75, which is considered exceptional. The crime rates in Abilene are 5% lower than the Texas average, and the cost of living is 5% lower than the Texas average. Rental prices are also 10% lower than the Texas average. Monthly grocery costs are $402.75 in Midland and it’s $529.75 for healthcare costs.