If you're weighing where to put down roots in Central Texas, Temple deserves a serious look. U.S. News & World Report named Temple one of the nation's Top 100 Best Places to Live for 2025–2026, and it's easy to see why once you dig into the numbers: a cost of living well below the national average, a healthcare-driven job market anchored by Baylor Scott & White, and a location right on the I-35 corridor that keeps Austin, Waco, and Dallas–Fort Worth all within reach. For anyone weighing a move to Temple, TX, here are five reasons this Bell County city keeps landing on "best places to live" lists.
1. Temple Sits Right on the I-35 Corridor
Location is one of Temple's biggest advantages. The city sits almost exactly halfway between Austin and Dallas–Fort Worth along I-35, one of the busiest and most economically important corridors in Texas. That means residents get regional access without a regional price tag: Austin is roughly an hour away, Waco is under 40 minutes, and Fort Cavazos and Killeen are a short 30-minute drive southwest.
For commuters, this central position is a genuine advantage. Hybrid workers can reach Austin for a few office days a week without living inside Austin's city limits, while those working locally still have quick access to two major interstates and a growing logistics and distribution sector that's taken root along the corridor. It's one of the clearest reasons Temple keeps showing up as a landing spot for people relocating from more expensive parts of Central Texas.
2. The Cost of Living Still Feels Like Texas
This might be the single biggest reason people are moving to Temple, TX. The city's overall cost of living runs somewhere between 13% and 17% below the national average, and the gap is even more dramatic compared to Austin. Median home prices in Temple generally fall in the $255,000 to $290,000 range, compared to national medians well above $390,000 and Austin metro prices pushing $440,000 or more.
A few other things help the math work in Temple's favor: groceries here rank among the cheapest in the country per national cost indexes, auto insurance is notably affordable relative to other Texas cities, and Texas's lack of a state income tax stretches every paycheck further. Property taxes in Bell County do run higher than the national average, generally in the 2.3% to 2.5% range, but even factoring that in, a given salary simply goes further in Temple than it does in most of Central Texas.
3. Baylor Scott & White Anchors a Genuinely Strong Job Market
Temple's economy isn't just affordable, it's also stable, largely thanks to Baylor Scott & White Health's flagship medical campus, which employs more than 12,000 people locally and ranks among the largest employers in the entire region. That healthcare backbone has helped Temple avoid the boom-and-bust cycles that hit more speculative markets, and it's brought a steady stream of medical professionals, researchers, and support staff to the city.
Temple's economic momentum extends beyond healthcare, too. The city currently has roughly $366 million in infrastructure and development improvements underway, and recent investments, including a new 900,000-square-foot Meta data center, point to a broader diversification of the local job base beyond medicine alone. For anyone evaluating reasons to move to Temple, TX, a genuinely resilient local economy is high on the list.
4. Belton Lake Puts Outdoor Recreation Minutes Away
Temple's proximity to Belton Lake is a lifestyle perk that's easy to overlook until you're actually living here. Just a short drive from the city, Belton Lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, and lakeside parks without the crowds or price tag of Austin-area lake communities. Combine that with Temple's own extensive park system and the Pepper Creek Trail network running through the city, and residents have genuine outdoor access built into daily life, not just something reserved for weekend road trips.
For families and retirees alike, this kind of accessible, low-cost recreation is a meaningful part of why Temple keeps outperforming its size on quality-of-life rankings. You don't have to drive to the Hill Country to feel like you have room to breathe.
5. Temple, TX Real Estate Still Favors Buyers
Unlike much of Central Texas, Temple's real estate market hasn't tipped fully into seller's-market territory. Homes here typically sell in around 96 days on average, and often close a bit below asking price, giving buyers genuine room to negotiate rather than facing the bidding wars that have defined Austin and Round Rock in recent years.
That balance, paired with an active new construction pipeline from national builders across the city, means buyers moving to Temple, TX today have real choices: established neighborhoods, brand-new subdivisions, and a range of price points from entry-level to custom. For anyone who's spent time house-hunting in a hotter market, Temple's relatively buyer-friendly conditions are one more reason it keeps earning its spot among Central Texas's best places to live.
Is Temple, TX Right for You?
Between its I-35 location, affordability, healthcare-anchored job market, lake access, and a real estate market that still gives buyers room to breathe, it's not hard to see why Temple continues to rank among the best places to live in Central Texas. It's not the right fit for everyone, buyers who need to be in downtown Austin daily may still want to look closer in, but for anyone prioritizing value, stability, and quality of life, Temple has a strong case to make.
If you're considering a move and want to explore what Temple, TX real estate actually looks like right now, from established neighborhoods to new construction, I can help you find the right fit for your budget and lifestyle. Call or text 254-598-0010 to get started.
FAQs: Moving to Temple Texas
Why do people keep moving to Temple, TX?
Many people choose Temple because it offers strong value: a cost of living well below the national average, an affordable housing range (often around $255,000 to $290,000), and a stable job market anchored by Baylor Scott & White Health. Plus, its location on the I-35 corridor makes it easier to reach Austin, Waco, and the Killeen/Fort Cavazos area without living in the most expensive places.
How far is Temple from Austin and Waco?
Temple is roughly about an hour from Austin and under 40 minutes from Waco. It’s also about a 30-minute drive southwest to Fort Cavazos and Killeen, thanks to its central position along I-35.
What supports the job market in Temple?
The biggest anchor is Baylor Scott & White Health, which employs more than 12,000 people locally and is one of the region’s largest employers. Temple also has ongoing infrastructure and development investments (including a new 900,000-square-foot Meta data center), which helps broaden job growth beyond healthcare alone.
Is there good outdoor recreation near Temple?
Yes. Belton Lake is close enough for everyday lifestyle access to boating, fishing, swimming, and lakeside parks. Temple also has its own park system and the Pepper Creek Trail network, so outdoor recreation is built into daily life without requiring long trips to the Hill Country.
Is the Temple real estate market buyer-friendly?
Generally, yes. Homes in Temple often sell in about 96 days on average and frequently close a bit below asking price, which creates more negotiation room than the bidding wars seen in Austin and nearby hotspots. There’s also active new construction, giving buyers more choices across different neighborhoods and price points.
