Folks with new AC equipment in Houston, is 2 stage worth the money?

I've tried this in other more topical subreddit but I'm not getting input from folks closer to our weather patterns and summers.

We're shopping for a new HVAC system and I'm wondering if I need to spring for a two stage setup. Variable speed is totally too expensive but I think a low speed would be great for spring and fall months and maybe the evening.

For folks who have a two stage system what has your experience been? The systems cost about $2500+ more so it would take time to make that up in energy savings. Almost the life of the unit.

And for anyone curious, variable speeds are running upwards of $15-20k so watch out…