Housing costs could be the X-factor Due to looser land-use regulations, Texas is a comparatively cheaper place to own a home. And, per one tax expert, home ownership costs are a key variable in payrolls costs. Combine that with no state-level income tax, and wooing talent for the long-term may be easier. The rise of remote work does make the difference a bit moot for mobile white-collar workers. Either way, come say “hi” when the world’s normal again.