Houston native here,...Weather wise, the area of Texas you refer to has a drier less humid climate than Houston does, but you will still use the air conditioner.
Dallas is more in tune with the "Western" mystique than Houston is...But Houston is more "international" than Dallas...I passed a park in Houston the other day where a "Cricket" league plays.
Dallas and Houston are both Republican politically,...But Houston Republicans tend to like Franklin Roosevelt and what he did. The elder Bush is very much like Nelson Rockefeller in his thinking. (yes I have met the man)
You will find a great many people into art, music, and high culture in both Houston and Dallas, but more so Houston, due to the fact that so many are from around the world.
University educations have historically been very "available" regardless of financial or academic back ground.
I think you would like it personally...