Something is shifting in East Texas. While Dallas, Houston, and Austin continue to pull headlines, a growing number of professionals between 25 and 38 are making a quieter, more calculated move: Tyler.
The reasons aren't complicated. Tyler's overall cost of living is approximately 7% below the national average, with housing running 14–15% cheaper than the U.S. baseline. Dallas, by comparison, sits at or slightly above average across most categories. For someone earning the same salary in both cities, that gap shows up in the bank account every single month.
Sources: Redfin – Tyler Cost of Living (https://www.redfin.com/cost-of-living-calculator/tyler-tx) | RentCafe – Tyler Cost of Living (https://www.rentcafe.com/cost-of-living-calculator/us/tx/tyler/)
And the city is getting younger. The Tyler Economic Development Council notes that Tyler is one of the few cities in Texas actively attracting a younger population, with a metro median age of 33.4 — bucking the aging trend seen in many mid-size markets.
Source: Tyler Economic Development Council – Demographics (https://tedc.org/life-in-tyler/demographics)
What's Happening Right Now: March 2026
Tyler's economy is outperforming the state. At the January 2026 Economic Outlook Luncheon, economist Dr. Ray Perryman reported that while Texas as a whole lost roughly 10,000–12,000 jobs since May 2025, Tyler's employment numbers held steady. In his words: the city has "outperformed the state," and that kind of stability in the current environment is significant.
Source: CBS19 – Tyler Shines in Job Stability, January 15, 2026 (https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/tyler-shines-in-job-stability-as-texas-faces-economic-pressures-says-dr-ray-perryman/501-3e520cae-6d07-46ec-a1d8-7351c06b3ba4)
Tyler is also projected to create nearly 12,000 new jobs per year over the next five years, with health services, mining, and construction leading growth. The unemployment rate continues to trend below both the state and national averages.
Source: KETK – East Texas Economic Outlook for 2026 (https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/east-texas-economic-outlook-for-2026-predicting-an-increase-in-jobs-across/)
On March 25, 2026 — just this week — the Tyler City Council adopted the Tyler Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, a 20-year roadmap for growth through 2045. The plan addresses land use, transportation, housing, and infrastructure as the city continues adding nearly 1,000 new residents each year.
Source: KLTV – Tyler Tomorrow Plan, March 25, 2026 (https://www.kltv.com/2026/03/26/tyler-city-council-adopts-tyler-tomorrow-comprehensive-plan-setting-20-year-vision-growth/)
Gas Prices, the Iran Conflict, and Why Location Matters More Than Ever
One factor that makes Tyler's affordability even more relevant right now: gas prices.
The Iran conflict, which began in late February 2026, has pushed crude oil from roughly $70/barrel to over $100/barrel. The Texas statewide gas average hit $3.61/gallon as of March 23, 2026 — up nearly $1/gallon in under a month. AAA Texas projects prices could reach $4/gallon nationally in the coming weeks.
Sources: AAA Texas Gas Report, March 26, 2026 (https://www.newschannel6now.com/2026/03/26/aaa-texas-reports-gas-prices-climbing-rates/) | GasBuddy / Gilmer Mirror, March 23, 2026 (https://www.gilmermirror.com/2026/03/23/texas-weekly-gas-price-update-213/) | Spectrum News TX, March 10, 2026 (https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2026/03/10/gas-prices-rise-across-texas)
Sources: Stacker – Tyler Gas (https://stacker.com/stories/texas/tyler/how-gas-prices-have-changed-tyler-last-week) | Stacker – Dallas Gas (https://stacker.com/stories/texas/dallas/how-gas-prices-have-changed-dallas-last-week) | WhatsThePriceOfGas – Austin (https://www.whatsthepriceofgas.com/gas-prices/texas/austin) | AAA Texas (https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=TX)
Here's where Tyler's advantage compounds: the average commute in Tyler is about 20 minutes. In Dallas, it's 30+ minutes — often more with traffic. At $3.60+/gallon, that difference in daily mileage adds up fast. For remote workers who only need to make occasional trips for groceries and errands, Tyler's compact layout means fewer gallons burned overall, and more money staying in your pocket.
Source: Census Reporter – Tyler, TX (http://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US4874144-tyler-tx/)
The Job Market Behind the Move
Healthcare is Tyler's economic anchor, and it's growing. The sector accounts for more than 38,000 jobs across the Tyler-Longview region. The two largest employers — UT Health East Texas and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances — together employ over 9,500 people. Dr. Perryman specifically pointed to investment in the health sector, including UT Health and biotech companies, as drivers of Tyler's long-term economic foundation.
Sources: Dallas Fed – Tyler-Longview (https://www.dallasfed.org/research/heart/tyler) | CBS19 – Perryman, January 2026 (https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/tyler-shines-in-job-stability-as-texas-faces-economic-pressures-says-dr-ray-perryman/501-3e520cae-6d07-46ec-a1d8-7351c06b3ba4)
Sources: Dallas Fed – Tyler-Longview (https://www.dallasfed.org/research/heart/tyler) | Tyler Texas Online – Jobs (https://www.tylertexasonline.com/tyler-texas-jobs-careers-business-economy.htm) | Tyler Economic Development Council (https://tedc.org/)
Smith County as a whole supports about 112,000 jobs across healthcare, education, manufacturing, distribution, oil and gas, and retail.
Source: Tyler Texas Online – Jobs (https://www.tylertexasonline.com/tyler-texas-jobs-careers-business-economy.htm)
For remote workers, the math is even more straightforward: earn a Dallas or Austin salary, live in Tyler, and keep the difference. That's a decision more people are actively making in 2026.
Why East Tyler Specifically
Tyler's growth isn't happening equally across all directions. East Tyler and the surrounding communities — including Flint, Bullard, and areas along the Old Bullard Road and Troup Highway corridors — have become increasingly attractive for young professionals and families for several reasons:
Proximity to healthcare employers. The medical corridor along South Broadway puts Southeast Tyler and nearby East Tyler communities within a short drive of the city's largest employers. For healthcare workers pulling shift schedules, a 10–15 minute commute is a meaningful quality-of-life factor.
Affordability compared to South and West Tyler. While South Tyler and the West Loop area (including the new 543-acre Bellwood mixed-use development) are seeing higher-end commercial and residential growth, East Tyler and its surrounding communities have maintained lower price points — making them practical for younger professionals and first-time renters.
Sources: KNUE – Bellwood Development (https://knue.com/bellwood-development-tyler-texas-west-loop/) | Pyramid Homes – East Texas (https://pyramidhomes.com/east-texas-new-homes/)
Growth in the Flint corridor. Flint, located just east of Tyler, has seen significant new construction and residential development. The Tyler-Flint area offers larger lots, a quieter pace, and proximity to Tyler's amenities — a combination that has drawn families and remote workers looking for space without sacrificing convenience.
Source: Pyramid Homes – Tyler-Flint (https://pyramidhomes.com/new-homes-in-tyler-tx/)
Infrastructure investment. The Tyler Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan specifically addresses areas including the North End and UT Tyler district, with focus on housing, commercial development, infrastructure, and campus-neighborhood connections. As these investments take shape, surrounding areas — including East Tyler — benefit from improved roads, services, and connectivity.
Source: KLTV – Tyler Tomorrow (https://www.kltv.com/2026/03/26/tyler-city-council-adopts-tyler-tomorrow-comprehensive-plan-setting-20-year-vision-growth/)
Cintra Realty Group manages rental properties throughout these areas, including Tyler proper, Flint, Bullard, Whitehouse, and Lindale. Their office sits at 5620 Old Bullard Rd. — right in the heart of the growth corridor.
A City That's Building, Not Just Talking
Beyond the Tyler Tomorrow plan, the physical changes happening in Tyler are visible:span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739&quo
