Wichita Falls has been named the #2 best place to raise a family in Texas, and it’s easy to see why. Our community offers a rare combination of affordability, safety, great schools, and family-friendly amenities. With low crime rates, active neighborhood associations, and access to parks and recreation, families feel supported here. The schools in Wichita Falls Independent School District are known for their dedication to student success, and the strong presence of youth sports, community centers, and cultural institutions create a healthy environment for kids to grow. Parents also appreciate the short commute times and the overall slower pace that allows for more quality time together.
Here are 10 of the most popular family activities and destinations in Wichita Falls:
River Bend Nature Center
Lucy Park and the Falls
Castaway Cove Waterpark
Kell House Museum
Urban Air Adventure Park
Lake Wichita Park
The Kemp Center for the Arts
Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra family nights
MPEC Events (concerts, rodeos, and expos)
Kay Yeager Coliseum for hockey and events
Wichita Falls is consistently ranked one of the top places in the country for first-time homebuyers, and for good reason. The median home price here hovers around $160,000, making it significantly more affordable than most cities in Texas or nationwide. First-time buyers find that they can get a spacious, move-in-ready home with a yard, rather than settling for a fixer-upper. Wichita Falls also offers a wide range of home styles, from charming craftsman bungalows to newer subdivisions with modern amenities.
Neighborhoods like Cashion Community, Southwest Wichita Falls, and Faith Village offer quiet, family-friendly streets with easy access to schools and shopping. Meanwhile, Downtown Wichita Falls has seen recent revitalization, attracting younger professionals who want walkability and historic charm. No matter your lifestyle or budget, there’s a neighborhood in Wichita Falls that feels like home.
Wichita Falls has earned its spot as one of the Top 25 Places to Live in Texas thanks to its high livability, strong sense of community, and affordable lifestyle. What sets Wichita Falls apart is its unique blend of small-town warmth with big-city amenities. From arts and entertainment to outdoor recreation and job opportunities, there’s always something going on here. Residents love that you can enjoy a full, active lifestyle without the traffic, sky-high prices, or long commutes found in larger Texas metros. Wichita Falls is also close to the Texas-Oklahoma border, giving residents quick access to regional travel while maintaining a peaceful hometown feel.
Living in Wichita Falls means your money goes further. Ranked the #2 city with the lowest cost of living in the United States, Wichita Falls offers incredible value for families, retirees, and young professionals alike.
Let’s break it down:
Median home price: ~$160,000
Average monthly rent: ~$900
Average cost of groceries: ~12% below national average
Gas prices: Typically below the state average
Utilities and services: Lower than many comparable cities in Texas
This low cost of living makes it easier to save for the future, invest in home improvements, and enjoy the good things in life without financial stress.
Wichita Falls is one of the top three cities in Texas for retirees, and it’s no surprise why. With mild winters, access to high-quality healthcare, and a relaxed pace of life, retirees thrive here. Active adults enjoy the many local clubs, golf courses, walking trails, and volunteer opportunities. There’s a vibrant senior community supported by the Wichita Falls Senior Center, as well as easy access to cultural events, educational programs at Midwestern State University, and affordable housing options suited to downsizing.
Wichita Falls provides all the right ingredients for a fulfilling retirement: affordability, access, and connection.
Yes, Wichita Falls gets hot in the summer. July and August can bring triple-digit temperatures, and you’ll often hear locals joke about the oven effect. But that’s only part of the story. What many people overlook is how amazing the weather is for the rest of the year.
Here in Wichita Falls, you can:
Sit by the pool in April
Play golf in February
Enjoy dinner on the patio well into November
Hike or fish year-round
Get more sunny days than almost anywhere in Texas
It’s a city built for outdoor living, and if you plan around the summer highs, you’ll love how much time you get to spend outside.
Wichita Falls isn’t just a great place to live. It’s a smart place to invest. Our economy is growing fast, and major companies are betting big on our city. New developments across manufacturing, logistics, biotech, and food production are creating jobs and attracting talent.
Major recent and upcoming investments include:
Amazon Distribution Center
Panda Biotech (largest hemp decortication facility in the U.S.)
Vitro Architectural Glass
Sealed Air
Pratt & Whitney
Seasons Eating Snack Company
Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
These investments will not only generate thousands of new jobs but also support local small businesses, drive new housing demand, and contribute to long-term economic sustainability in Wichita Falls.
As the economy grows, so does the city itself. Wichita Falls is expanding with new schools, hospitals, hotels, and recreation spaces that make it an even better place to live and raise a family.
Some of the most exciting recent and upcoming additions include:
Legacy High School (Wichita Falls ISD’s newest state-of-the-art high school)
Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine
New medical clinics and urgent care centers from United Regional and CommunityMed
Downtown hotel projects, including boutique and extended-stay options
Downtown living including premium high rise apartments at The Kate
Expansion of MPEC (Multi-Purpose Events Center) for regional conventions and entertainment
New industrial parks and business incubators to support local startups
Community beautification projects in parks, trails, and urban spaces
These developments not only support population growth but also improve quality of life across the board.
Wichita Falls is home to Sheppard Air Force Base, a major training installation that brings a proud military presence and a deep sense of patriotism to the city. The base contributes significantly to the local economy and community life, with many military families choosing to retire and stay in Wichita Falls after their service. Residents benefit from strong veteran support services, community events that honor service members, and a culture that respects and celebrates military contributions. The presence of Sheppard AFB also adds to the city’s diversity, bringing people from across the country and around the world to the area. For veterans and active-duty families alike, Wichita Falls offers a welcoming, supportive environment with lasting connections.
One of the things people love most about Wichita Falls is how easy it is to get around. Unlike larger cities in Texas, there’s virtually no traffic here, and most errands or commutes take 10 to 15 minutes. Whether you're heading to work, school, the grocery store, or the golf course, everything is close and convenient. This saves residents time and reduces stress, creating more space for the things that really matter, like family dinners or evenings at the park. In Wichita Falls, life moves at a more comfortable pace, and that’s exactly how people like it.
At Axis Construction, we’ve seen firsthand how Wichita Falls is changing for the better, growing smarter, investing in its future, and welcoming new families, retirees, and businesses every day. We’re proud to be part of a community that values progress while holding onto the values that make this a true Texas hometown.
To learn more about how Wichita Falls continues to grow and thrive, we encourage you to visit the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. Whether you're ready to build a home, start a business, or simply put down roots in a city that feels just right, Wichita Falls is ready to welcome you.