Why Texas is the place to be for technology jobsThe big data market is heating up the world over, and perhaps no more so than in Texas. The Dallas, Austin and Houston areas in particular are experiencing a massive boom in big data jobs, with many large tech companies making the move from Silicon Valley to enjoy all that Texas has to offer. But why the shift towards the southern state, and what does it mean for candidates looking big data jobs and broader technology roles?Tax-free TexasThe Texan market is looking increasingly lucrative for both young start-ups and established tech companies alike. One of the most significant factors in this rapid growth is the favourable tax conditions in the state. There’s no corporate or individual income tax, with Texas ranking 47 out of 50 states when it comes to taxes paid per $1,000 of personal income. As California tax rates hitting up to 10.84 for corporations and 12.3% for individuals, it’s understandable that entrepreneurs and big business alike are looking to the southern state for bigger breaks on tax day.On top of this, Texas offers favourable funding and regulatory conditions for young and growing businesses, providing a ‘pro-business’ environment for corporations to thrive. Texas State offers billions of dollars in incentives to businesses every year, providing all the more reasons for those in the technology industry to think hard about making the move.With a state government that celebrates business and provides easy to navigate laws and regulations, many businesses find the transition from Silicon Valley to Austin smooth and seamless. As organisations in San Francisco are priced out of the area, some of the nation’s top talent are moving to pastures greener – and for many, that means Texas.The living is easyOn top of the tax breaks gained when moving to Texas, many movers and shakers experience a favourable quality of life. The cost of living is low – for example, the median home value in Austin is $321,600 compared to San Francisco’s $1,1943,300 – with relatively cheap utilities and the second-largest GDP in the nation. The market is robust, which has resulted in money being poured back into cities and communities to make them more attractive to businesses and young families. People can move to Austin and get more bang for their buck than they can in many other parts of the country, enjoying not only a booming technology market, but also superior housing and affordable living. Add in a comfortable climate and famously friendly locals and you’ve got a part of the country that is becoming increasingly appealing to even the most seasoned technology professionals.Technology is taking offTexas is huge when it comes to the technology industry. There was a 41.4% jump in technology industry employment between 2001 and 2013, resulting in large numbers of jobs being taken up across Austin and the wider state. And in 2016 alone, Texas added a huge 11,000 new technology jobs to its market, ranking it second of the 50 states in tech industry employment.The tech hub of Austin alone is home to employers such as Dell, Apple, Microsoft and Samsung, plus an increasingly significant number of start-ups peppering the landscape with innovation. There are a range of incubators and universities that feed into the city’s talent pool, with Austin ranking third in the list of US cities providing the most technology jobs in 2017. However, such growth doesn’t stop Austin and its other Texan counterparts from being a friendly and accessible place to work. There is less of the cut-throat nature that comes with tech in Silicon Valley, and more of a community, collaborative approach.Meanwhile, Dallas-Fort Worth is enjoying being the second-largest data center market in the country, offering an abundance of big data jobs to savvy business people. Find your next data job in TexasMuch of the Texas technology market is geared towards candidates currently, with more jobs than skilled employees to fill them. Companies are doing more to attract top talent to Texas, including offering generous benefits packages, relocation allowances and flexible work conditions, and the expectation is that this market will only continue to grow.If you’re looking for technology jobs in Austin or further afield in Texas, we might have just what you’re looking for. Take a look at our US data and technology jobs here.