Everything it costs to live in a Texas 55+ community in 2026 — HOA, property taxes, insurance, healthcare, food, transportation, and what surprises buyers from other states
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Talk to a Specialist →Buyers arriving from New Jersey, New York, Illinois, or California have calibrated their expectations to their home state's cost structure. Three Texas-specific costs consistently surprise them: property taxes that are higher than expected before exemptions; homeowners insurance with percentage-based hail deductibles; and the absence of any state income tax that they may not have fully modeled into their withdrawal strategy. This guide addresses all three in the context of a complete annual budget.
| Component | Monthly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOA dues | $100 | $1,200 | Base — excludes golf and Garden Home lawn surcharge |
| Property tax (all 65+ exemptions) | ~$383 | ~$4,600 | Williamson County; after $200K school exemption + freeze |
| Homeowners insurance | ~$183 | ~$2,200 | Hail corridor — Class 4 roof discount applied |
| Lawn care | ~$125 | ~$1,500 | Not included in HOA for standard single-family |
| Home maintenance reserve | ~$375 | ~$4,500 | 1% of home value/yr — prudent reserve for Texas climate |
| Housing subtotal (ex-mortgage) | ~$1,166 | ~$14,000 |
| Component | Per Person / Mo | Annual (Couple) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part B premium | ~$185 | ~$4,440 |
| Medigap Plan G (age 65–70) | ~$175 | ~$4,200 |
| Part D prescription drug plan | ~$50 | ~$1,200 |
| Dental / vision / hearing | ~$125 | ~$3,000 |
| Out-of-pocket (copays, prescriptions) | — | ~$2,400 |
| Healthcare subtotal (couple) | — | ~$15,240 |
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| Category | $70K Income | $110K Income | $160K Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (ex-mortgage) | $14,000 | $14,000 | $17,000 (larger home) |
| Healthcare | $13,000 | $15,240 | $17,000 |
| Food and groceries | $10,800 | $14,400 | $21,600 |
| Dining out | $3,600 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| Transportation | $7,200 | $9,600 | $14,400 |
| Golf (if applicable) | $0 | $2,500 (single) | $4,200 (couple) |
| Entertainment and travel | $4,800 | $10,800 | $24,000 |
| Personal care and clothing | $3,600 | $4,800 | $7,200 |
| Gifts and charitable giving | $2,400 | $4,800 | $9,600 |
| Miscellaneous | $3,600 | $4,800 | $7,200 |
| Total Annual Spending | ~$63,000 | ~$86,940 | ~$134,200 |
Texas state income tax on all of the above: $0. Federal taxes on retirement income distributions still apply. Assumes cash purchase — no mortgage payment. Add $15,000–$22,000/year for a $225K mortgage at 6.5%.
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