Cost of Living in Tyler
Tyler runs below the national cost-of-living average on both major indices found this session (BestPlaces 85.2, ERI ~89), though it prices modestly above the Texas state average on one index and carries the highest housing costs of the four markets in this batch.
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Learn moreTwo indices agree Tyler runs below the national average, with a modest disagreement on the Texas comparison
BestPlaces scores Tyler's overall cost of living at 85.2 -- 14.8% below the U.S. average, but 9.6% ABOVE the average Texas city. ERI separately cites Tyler as 11% below the national average and 2% below the average Texas city -- these two sources disagree on whether Tyler runs above or below the Texas state average specifically, though both agree it runs meaningfully below the national average.
The priciest housing market of the four in this batch, still affordable nationally
Tyler's citywide median home sale price is $309,731 (Redfin, June 2026, up a modest 1.6% YoY) -- the highest of the four Central/East Texas markets in this build, reflecting Tyler's role drawing higher-income professional buyers from a wide catchment area, though still meaningfully below the national median.
A regional-hub economy provides real income diversity
Because Tyler's economy spans healthcare, retail, energy-sector services, and education rather than a single dominant employer, its cost-of-living profile reflects a broader income distribution than a single-industry town -- median household income is $67,486, close to Temple's figure and well above Waco's or Killeen's in this batch.
Key takeaways
- Texas's no state income tax applies fully in Tyler, a real structural cost advantage.
- Cost of living runs 11-15% below the national average (BestPlaces 85.2; ERI ~89) -- though the two sources disagree on whether Tyler runs above or below the Texas state average specifically.
- Housing is the priciest of the four markets in this batch ($309,731 citywide median, Redfin), reflecting its regional-hub role, though still affordable relative to the national median.
- Median household income ($67,486) is close to Temple's and well above Waco's or Killeen's in this batch.
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