@Joseph M. prices have gone up in places like Lawerenceville and others, but still pretty affordable in most of the city. 

Let me look up for the properties I can afford to buy, live and rent.

Affordable housing is RED-hot at this time, especially if it's decent 3br+ housing sub $2k.   

That said, Texas tends to offer more affordable housing than Florida’s coastal towns, so your money might go further if you’re buying properties for yourself and your portfolio.When it comes to family life, Texas has tons of family-friendly suburbs with excellent schools.

As well as they expect free health care . 

The most likely main focus of many congressional hearings on this nomination will be on how to address the affordability crisis in this country.

I would purchase a duplex (or even better, purchase a SFH with as many bedrooms as you can afford and rent by the room), and then slowly improve the property. 

How can I afford to buy a bigger house while also renting out my current house?

You could probably afford $20,000 without much impact on your budget.

We aim to bring buildings and properties back to their heyday, at the same time providing affordable and middle income rental housing.