Texas has become the tech industry's budget-friendly alternative to California

In a nutshell: Texas is solidifying its position as a major tech hub, with Apple's recent announcement of a new 250,000-square-foot AI server production facility in Houston serving as the latest testament to the state's growing tech industry. This development is part of a broader trend of technology investments reshaping the Lone Star State's economy, often fueled by California-based companies seeking lower taxes and a more business-friendly regulatory environment.

The influx of tech giants into Texas is reshaping the state's economic landscape. Apple already maintains its second-largest employee base outside Cupertino in Austin, while Samsung continues expanding its semiconductor operations in the state. Meta has relocated its trust and safety teams to Texas and other US locations, and companies like Realtor.com, Tesla, and Hewlett Packard have moved their headquarters there.

John Diamond, an economist at Rice University in Houston, explains the appeal: "In the ...