The AI Boom Is Coming To Texas: How to Buy Smart in Austin and Houston

The New Tech Frontier: Why Companies Are Betting Big on Texas

Texas offers the perfect launchpad for AI infrastructure. With no state income tax, business-friendly regulations, and a growing talent pool, it's no surprise that global giants are breaking ground here.

The examples below are just a sample of recent headlines highlighting the scale of AI/tech investment flooding into Texas:

• Apple is constructing a 250,000 sq ft AI server factory in Northwest Houston, expected to create thousands of high-paying jobs.

• Nvidia is ramping up full-scale AI supercomputer production in Houston and Dallas, in partnership with Foxconn and Wistron.

• North Austin’s One Uptown will soon be home to a new Nvidia office—roughly 100,000 sq ft—bringing hundreds of engineers to the city of Austin.

• Apple’s existing Riata Vista campus in North Austin is being redeveloped into a mixed-use hub for R&D, biosciences, and housing.

• Tesla is building “Cortex,” a state-of-the-art AI training supercluster at its 10-million sq ft Giga Texas facility in Austin—powered by 100,000+ Nvidia GPUs and directly tied to its AI-robotics ambitions .

These moves signal more than expansion—they mark a long-term commitment to Texas as the foundation for the AI era.

Meet the Cities Leading the AI Boom: Austin vs. Houston

Even though your relocation destination might be determined by your employer, it’s still helpful to understand what each city offers—especially when planning where to live and what kind of home to buy. Austin and Houston are both experiencing explosive growth from the AI boom, but they each bring unique advantages when it comes to lifestyle, housing, and job sectors:

🔷 Austin: High-Tech Meets High-Quality Living

If you're headed to Austin, you're landing in a city that’s rapidly evolving into the epicenter of Texas' innovation economy. The northern corridor—stretching from The Domain to Uptown ATX—is booming with new office campuses, biotech expansions, and mixed-use developments. That means more restaurants, trails, and housing options than ever before.

Neighborhoods like Pflugerville, Leander, Georgetown, and Cedar Park offer a family-friendly suburban vibe with great schools and easy commutes to North Austin's tech employers. Whether you’re looking for a sleek townhome, a modern condo near the office, or a spacious new-build with a backyard, Austin has it all.

In fact, we recently broke down what makes the city such a smart buy in our article, Austin 2025: What Homebuyers Need to Know. It covers everything from affordability to future growth and why now may be the perfect time to plant roots before prices climb again.

🟠 Houston: Manufacturing Muscle and Suburban Value

If your company is sending you to Houston, you’re stepping into a market that’s quietly becoming the engine room of AI manufacturing. Along Fairbanks North Houston Road, factories from Nvidia, Foxconn, and Apple are already under construction—bringing thousands of jobs and renewed investment to the city’s northwest side.

Suburbs like Cypress, Spring, and Tomball are among the fastest-growing, thanks to their affordability, strong school districts, and proximity to major employment hubs. Homes are larger, newer, and more budget-friendly than what you'd find in most metro areas, and property taxes tend to be more manageable than in Austin.

We dove deeper into what makes Houston a hidden gem in our guide, What First-Time Buyers Should Know About the Houston Housing Market. From down payment assistance to local incentives, it's worth reading if you're looking to stretch your dollar while building long-term equity.

Thinking of Buying? Here's What You Need to Know

Whether you already own a home or are planning to buy your first, relocating to Texas during this AI-driven growth cycle offers a rare opportunity to get ahead of the curve.

If you already own a home: A Buy Before You Sell program can help you purchase your next property in Texas without the pressure of selling first. These programs allow you to:

• Make non-contingent offers in competitive neighborhoods

• Avoid temporary rentals, rushed listings, or double moves

• Time your sale strategically—so you maximize your equity

If you're a first-time buyer or don't currently own a home: Texas lenders offer a variety of mortgage programs tailored to high-income tech professionals. If you're earning W-2 income with RSUs or have a vested stock portfolio, here are your best options:

• Conventional Loans – Most common option for salaried employees. RSU income may count if there's a documented history of receipt.

• Jumbo Loans – For home prices above conforming limits. Common in areas like North Austin, The Domain, and parts of Houston’s Energy Corridor.

• Asset Depletion Loans – Perfect for founders, engineers, and early retirees. If you have significant assets or stock holdings, you may qualify without traditional income documentation. Learn more about how this works here.

No matter your situation, it’s crucial to work with a lender who understands tech compensation and can help you leverage it into buying power.

Your Texas Relocation Plan: Step-by-Step

If you’re planning to make the move, here’s how to approach it with strategy, flexibility, and confidence:

1. Start with Pre-Approval Before browsing listings or booking flights, talk to a lender who understands how tech compensation works—especially if you’re paid in RSUs, bonuses, or equity. Getting pre-approved ensures you know your budget and can move quickly when the right home pops up.

2. Get Connected with a Realtor The right real estate agent can make or break your relocation experience. We can connect you with a local expert who knows the Austin or Houston market inside and out. Click here to get started.

3. Explore Neighborhoods by Priority Once you’ve narrowed down your job location, explore the surrounding areas—not just by commute, but by lifestyle. Think about how close you want to be to the office versus restaurants, gyms, or even pickleball courts like Urban Pickleball, located right in the heart of downtown Austin. Do you want a walkable urban area where you can grab dinner after work, or are you looking for a quieter suburb with weekend farmer’s markets and space for your dog to run?

   Each city has its own personality and vibe:

   • Austin: Uptown ATX, Tech Ridge, Round Rock, Leander, Georgetown, Westlake, Allendale, Crestview, East Austin

   • Houston: Fairbanks North, Cypress, Spring, Tomball, The Heights, Bellaire

4. Time Your Sale Right If you already own a home, don’t feel pressured to sell before you're ready. A buy-before-you-sell program or bridge loan can help you secure your next property first and sell your current one later, on your terms.

5. Think Beyond Today The AI investments being made in Texas aren’t short-term. These campuses, factories, and offices will attract talent and investment for years to come. That means the homes you buy today could appreciate significantly in the next 3–5 years as demand catches up with growth.

The Bottom Line: Buy Into the Boom

Texas is being transformed—not just by companies moving here, but by the high-paying jobs and vibrant communities they’re building. From Austin’s innovation corridors to Houston’s new manufacturing zones, there’s never been a more exciting time to move.

What’s more, both Austin and Houston have already gone through their price correction cycles. That means home values have adjusted from their pandemic-era highs, creating a smart entry point for buyers just as these markets appear poised to enter a new phase of growth. For those looking to build equity while living in the middle of America’s AI expansion, the timing couldn’t be better.

If you’re ready to relocate, don’t just rent and wait. Take advantage of smart mortgage programs and growing market opportunities to buy with confidence.

The AI future is being built in Texas. Make sure you're part of it. Schedule a call with me today or get in touch with me by completing this quick form, and we'll help you understand the homebuying process here in Texas.