Living in Tyler, TX
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

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• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Tyler, TX? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Tyler, TX

Tyler is a great place to put down roots for a number of reasons, including the affordable cost of living. Not only are median home and rent prices lower here than in other parts of the country, but homeowners enjoy some of the lowest city property taxes in the state. As the adage goes, everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of neighborhoods the 108,570 people who call Tyler home can pick from, including affordable apartments, single-family homes and even spacious mansions.

The city is also a hub for higher education. The city is home to three higher education institutions, including the University of Texas at Tyler, which recently opened the first medical school in East Texas. Some quality-of-life perks enjoyed by residents include a walkable downtown, locally owned restaurants, standout parks and a newly renovated zoo. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate this growing town’s scenic lakes, campgrounds and golf courses. At the same time, young families are eager to invest in a place with a thriving economy and small-town charm.

Living in the “Rose Capital of America” is just as idyllic as it sounds. To wit: The city is home to a free rose garden, where more than 300 varieties of colorful roses are planted, and the best time to stop and smell the roses is during peak bloom, which happens in October and then again in mid-to-late May.

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Top Reasons to Move to Tyler

• Home to the Tyler Rose Garden, the largest municipal rose garden in the country, and the Texas Rose Festival, Tyler is the Rose Capital of America.
• There are plenty of economic opportunities in Tyler, and the city is a hub for startups and young professionals.
• With housing prices and overall expenses below the national average and no state income tax in Texas, Tyler is affordable.
• Tyler is a health care hub, and UT Tyler Medical School has positioned itself as a leader in personalized cancer treatments, advanced cardiovascular care and neurological research. 

Tyler is a charming city in East Texas, about 100 miles east of Dallas, accessible via U.S. Routes 69 and 271. The nearest airport, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, is just 3 miles west and offers flights to Dallas and beyond. Geographically, the city sits on rolling hills with flat stretches, and Lake Tyler, nearby, is perfect for boating, fishing or a lakeside picnic. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:  

• Dallas is 100 miles west, home to the Sixth Floor Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art and AT&T Stadium.
• Shreveport, LA, is 100 miles east, home to the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum or the Riverfront.  
• Houston sits 200 miles south; tour the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit the Houston Zoo or catch a show at the Houston Theater District. 

Like much of the South, Tyler has a humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and highs that approach 100 degrees. But come January, you’ll appreciate those Texas winters when highs hover in the 60s. The area receives plentiful rainfall, including thunderstorms, in spring and summer.

Tyler attracts a wide range of major employers and industries thanks to its convenient location and reputation as a hub of Northeast Texas. The local economy is robust and diverse thanks to its well-rounded manufacturing, retail, and oil and gas industries. Major employers in the Tyler area include Trane Technologies, John Soules Food, Kent Water Sports and Tyler Pipe Company.

The city may be known as the Rose Capital of America, but it’s also beginning to turn heads in the medical field. Thanks to institutions like the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, the region is a great launching pad for those looking to enter the medical field. The school has emerged as a center of innovation and excellence in a region that hasn’t historically been associated with cutting-edge medical research.

The cost of living in Tyler is below the national average. The median home value in Tyler is $273,835, and the average household income is $67,319.

There is no state income tax in Texas. In 2026, the combined sales tax rate in Tyler is 8.25%.

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Tyler is the Rose Capital of America. The city’s connection to the flower dates back to the late 1800s, when a blight wiped out the region’s peach crop, and the industry pivoted to planting rosebushes on the fertile land. Today, the city is home to the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, a free spot featuring more than 14 acres, thousands of rose bushes and more than 300 varieties of roses. Recognized as a “national treasure” on the National Register of Historic Places, this is the largest rose garden in the country. Tyler celebrates its florals at the annual Texas Rose Festival, a three-day annual event held each October. Roses are in peak season in October and mid-to-late May, but together with the Tyler Botanical Garden, the Tyler Rose Garden is beautiful year-round. The Rose Garden is open from dawn until dark seven days a week, and admission is free.

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Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the number of things to do in Tyler. Learn about the city’s history through the Historic Tyler Walking Tour and museums like the Texas African American Museum and the Tyler Museum of Art. The R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas at Tyler serves as a hub for the performing arts, hosting Broadway shows and other cultural events. Try the Ye Olde City Antique Mall and The Loft Downtown Mall for shopping and a treasure trove of antiques.

Families will enjoy the Caldwell Zoo, with its 3,000-plus animals. Explore hands-on exhibits at the Discovery Science Place. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the scenic Azalea District, particularly beautiful during springtime blooms, or attend events like the Tyler Film Festival and Spirits of Oakwood. Downtown Tyler’s Square has local shops and restaurants, and the Rose City Farmers Market has local goods. The city also hosts various festivals, including the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival and the Texas Rose Festival, both of which celebrate the region’s culture and heritage.

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Natural beauty and sunny weather characterize the outdoor scene here. With its 1,900 acres, Tyler State Park provides ample opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, and fishing, as well as camping and swimming. Parks like Faulkner, Rose Rudman, and The Children’s Park have playgrounds, walking trails and picnic areas, making them ideal spots for families to run and play. Hit the water at Lake Tyler. 

There are skate parks and golf courses, such as Tyler Municipal and Pine Springs, for recreational sports. The Mineola Nature Preserve nearby is a peaceful spot for hiking and birdwatching. The city is also known for its beautiful gardens, such as the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, and for scenic trails, such as the Legacy Trail and those in Tyler State Park. The Half Mile of History in downtown Tyler offers outdoor activities for learning about the city.

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Taste the flavors of Tyler, a food scene that’s growing and changing, mixing East Texas food with international flavors and craft drinks. The city features classic barbecue joints like Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, known for its smoked meats, alongside more upscale dining options like Jack Ryan’s Steak & Chophouse. There’s also international food, with Mexican at La Plazita and Italian at Bruno’s Pizza & Pasta.

Beyond its restaurants, the city has a burgeoning craft beer scene, with breweries like ETX Brewing Co. and True Vine Brewing Company offering local brews and community gatherings. Residents can enjoy unique dining experiences, such as the family-friendly atmosphere at The Grove Kitchen + Gardens and diverse options at places like The Foundry Coffee House. Tyler’s food scene caters to a range of tastes and preferences, from casual eateries to fine dining.

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The Tyler Independent School District (TISD) serves nearly 20,000 students in the area. It maintains an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. Tyler ISD also partners with local colleges to provide students with opportunities to earn dual credit and get a jump-start on their postsecondary plans. There are more than 20 private schools in town, too.

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