Buying land can be stressful, especially if you are looking for cheap land. You want to make sure you are getting quality land but for a fair price. When you search for land, it can be difficult to decipher if the prices make any sense. If you live in Texas, or just want to buy land in Texas, you are probably wondering where the cheapest land to buy is.
The cheapest land in Texas is located in the more rural parts of the state. Western Texas and the panhandle are where you will find the cheapest land in the state. The price increases the closer you get to major cities, such as Dallas and Austin. It is possible to find cheap land across the state.
Understanding how much land costs in Texas can go a long way in finding the best land to buy. Moreover, understanding why land is cheap is important because it allows you to make the best decisions when you purchase. Read on to discover where you can buy the cheapest land in Texas, how it compares to the rest of the country, and more.
Article Contents
How Much Does an Acre of Land Cost in Texas?
The cost of land has been going up each year in Texas. This is important to remember because the longer you wait, the more you will have to pay in the long run. The price also varies across the state. When you get close to the major cities, the coast, and the eastern portion of the state, you will get much higher prices than elsewhere.
You may wonder what the cost is for an acre of land in the Lonestar State. The average price for a single acre, as of 2020, in Texas, is around $2,972. This number takes all the land from across the state into account. Therefore, if you go to the more rural areas, you can find land for over a thousand dollars cheaper.
There are some things you should consider before you buy land in Texas, however. You should ask yourself the following questions.
- What is your budget?
- What do you want the land for?
- Where in the state would you prefer to buy?
Answering these questions will give you a great start on narrowing your search for land in Texas, and it will help you calculate what you will need to spend.
How Does the Price of Land in Texas Compare to the National Average?
Whether you already live in Texas or you are planning to relocate, it is important to know how the average cost of land in Texas compares to the national average. It is beneficial to know because it will help you make the best decision.
The national average cost of land in the United States is about $3,160. This number is unchanged between 2019 and 2020. However, this price has been steadily rising throughout the years.
This means that the average cost of land in Texas is less than the national average. However, there are areas in Texas where land would be over the national average, too. Regardless, this means it is advantageous to buy cheap land in Texas.
What Factors Can Lead to Land Being Cheap?
It is important to understand why land is cheap in the first place. Cheap land does not mean it is bad land. Several factors play a part in how land prices are calculated. Knowing these factors will help you make an informed decision about the land you are looking to acquire.
It is important to consider these factors that affect how much you are paying for land in Texas.
- Location of the land. Where a piece of property is located plays a major part in how much it will cost. More rural areas will cost less, but land that is near an urban area will cost more. If the land you are looking at is farther away from a metropolis, it will probably be cheaper.
- Purpose of the land. Not all land can be used for the same things, so the purpose of land plays a part, too. For example, if the land is for commercial purposes, it will be priced differently than land that will be used for residential purposes.
- Resources on the land. If the land has more resources, then it will cost more. For example, if you were to buy 50 acres, but only a fraction of that land has usable soil for planting, it would, comparatively speaking, cost less than a smaller plot of land that is completely usable.
Some cheaper-priced land will not have the same resources as the more expensive plots, but this should not deter you from looking. A lot of cheap lands still have a lot of potential, and the cheaper price tag does not mean there will be a dip in quality. This is why it is important to visit the property and research it before making a decision.
The 10 Counties with the Cheapest Land in Texas
When looking for cheap land in Texas, it is important to know the counties where the land will be the cheapest. However, you do not just want to know where some useless, vacant lots are located.
While the cheapest land is often found in the western part of the state, cheap land can be found in the eastern part, too. The idea is to stay away from highly urban areas, such as immediately around Dallas. You should also avoid coastal areas as these tend to be pricier, too.
The following 10 counties have some of the cheapest land in Texas. They can go from very cheap (just about a thousand dollars an acre) to around $2,000 an acre. Regardless, these counties fall under the average cost in the state.
It is important to know what each county is like before looking at the property there. So, taking a closer look at each of these counties will offer a glimpse into what they can provide you.
Pecos County
Pecos County is located in West Texas, and it has a population of under 16,000. It is a relatively rural area. The most prominent town is Fort Stockton, which comprises about half the population of the county.
The closest major city is El Paso, which is located to the west. There is a lot of open land in Pecos County, and because it is a rural county, the price of land is relatively cheap.
Culberson County
Culberson County is a fairly large county located in the far-western part of Texas. It has a very small population of under 2,500. Most of the population in this county resides in Van Horn, which is the largest town in the county.
Since the county is large with a small population, there is a lot of open land for sale. The rural area helps keep the prices of the land down.
Tyler County
Tyler County is located in the eastern part of the state. When one thinks of where the cheapest property in Texas is, one may not think of this part of the state. However, the land in Tyler County can be bought well below the state average.
Tyler County is relatively small, but it has a population of over 20,000. It is more urban than other counties, but there is still a fair amount of land to be bought here. The most prominent city in this county is Woodville.
Edwards County
Edwards County is located east of Pecos County, and it is more centrally located than some of the other counties you may encounter in Texas. However, Edwards county has a sparse population of around 2,000 people, and the main town is Rocksprings, which also is rather small.
This is a more rural county, and the land here can be had for well under the state average, so it is a great place to look for property when you want to buy cheap land.
Ward County
Ward County is a small county located in the western part of Texas. Its population is around 12,000 people, and over half of the population resides in the city of Monahans.
Despite its size, cheap land can still be found in this mostly rural county. The western part of the state is one of the best places to find cheap land, and Ward County is no exception.
Polk County
Polk County is a small county that is located in the eastern part of Texas. While its small size and more urban layout may deter some people from checking the land in this county, they should consider it.
The most prominent town is Livingston, and the population of the county is around 50,000. It is one of the more populous counties that still offers land for a fair price.
Milam County
Milam County is a centrally located county. The biggest city is Cameron, and the population of the entire county is around 25,000. Milam county is more urban because it is located in the eastern part of the state.
However, there is still land that can be bought below the state average. The eastern part of the state may not be your first choice, but there are still areas that can be advantageous to look at.
Bowie County
Bowie County is both small and highly populated. It is located in the eastern part of Texas, near Arkansas. The population of the city is around 95,000, and the most prominent city is Texarkana.
Even though this is a fairly populated and urban area, the prices for land are not always expensive.
Wilbarger County
Wilbarger County is known to be the county with the cheapest land in all of Texas, so this should definitely be on your list when looking for land. It is located in Northern Texas, unlike many of the other counties that have cheap land.
Its population is around 13,000, and it is home to Vernon College. Moreover, the most prominent city is Vernon, where most of the population resides. It is a fairly rural county, and it has a lot of cheap land. The land will be the cheapest in the state, on average.
Hudspeth County
Hudspeth County is located in the far-western part of Texas. The closest major city is El Paso, and its population is only around 4,000 people. The most prominent town is Fort Hancock.
Hudspeth County offers a lot of open, rural land, which makes it a great choice when you are looking for cheap land in Texas.
Conclusion
Finding cheap land to purchase in Texas is not as difficult as it may first appear. You just need to know what you want the land for, where you want to be in Texas, and which counties are best to begin your search.
It is important to check the property first before you purchase it. This will ensure that it is exactly what you are looking for.
