Yeah, TX doesn't have an income tax and the property taxes within cities are insane. Basically if it weren't for municipal taxes, the statewide property tax burden of Texas property owners wouldn't be anywhere near as high as it is. Taxes are generally low at somewhere about .25% in any given county, but balloon rapidly once you start adding in the special district, ISD, and city taxes. The one good part, however, is that rural property owners have annexation protections and a couple exemptions they can get, plus if your property is your only home in TX, it can qualify for a homestead exemption. The biggest benefit, IMHO, of rural property owner rights in TX come in when you buy unrestricted property (because fuck pulling permits).