What’s the best small city to live in Dallas-Fort Worth?
If you’re thinking about relocating to the area but prefer not to live in a big city, we have some wonderful smaller cities you should consider. In this article, we’ll explore the top five small cities in and around Dallas based on a recent WalletHub article, which analyzed the best small cities in America.
WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 people, using 45 key indicators of livability. Let’s take a closer look at these cities, including their location, schools, crime rates, housing, and cost of living.
5. Little Elm, Texas
Little Elm has a population of about 54,000 people and spans 18 square miles. Located just west of Frisco, it’s near the Dallas North Tollway, Highway 380, and Highway 121. The commute from Little Elm to downtown Dallas takes about 45 minutes, and it’s about 50 minutes to downtown Fort Worth. For air travel, you’re 30 minutes from DFW International Airport and 45 minutes from Dallas Love Field.
Key Stats:
- Median Household Income: $110,000
- School District: Little Elm ISD (Overall rating: C, 79/100)
- Crime and Safety Rating: A
- Median Home Price: $450,000
4. Southlake, Texas
Southlake has a population of about 31,000 and covers 22 square miles. It’s located northeast of Fort Worth, adjacent to Colleyville, and near Highways 114 and 121. DFW International Airport is just 10 minutes away, while travel to Dallas Love Field takes about 30 minutes. The commute to downtown Fort Worth is around 34 minutes, and downtown Dallas is about 32 minutes away.
Key Stats:
- Median Household Income: $250,000
- School District: Carroll ISD (Overall rating: A, 98/100)
- Crime and Safety Rating: C
- Median Home Price: $1.2 million
3. Flower Mound, Texas
Flower Mound boasts a population of about 78,000 people across 44 square miles. Located northwest of Dallas and just north of Fort Worth, it’s accessible via Highways 377, 121, and Interstate 35. The city is about 15 minutes from DFW International Airport and 30 minutes from Dallas Love Field. Commuting to downtown Dallas takes about 35 minutes, and downtown Fort Worth is about 40 minutes away.
Key Stats:
- Median Household Income: $154,000
- School Districts: Lewisville ISD (Overall rating: B, 89/100) and Argyle ISD (Overall rating: A, 97/100)
- Crime and Safety Rating: C+
- Median Home Price: $597,000
2. Allen, Texas
Allen has a population of about 100,000 people and covers 26 square miles. Situated north of Dallas, between Plano and McKinney, it’s easily accessible via Highway 75. The commute to downtown Dallas is about 35 minutes, and it’s an hour to downtown Fort Worth. DFW International Airport is 30 minutes away, and Dallas Love Field is about 40 minutes.
Key Stats:
- Median Household Income: $120,000
- School District: Allen ISD (Overall rating: A, 94/100)
- Crime and Safety Rating: B
- Median Home Price: $511,000
1. Rockwall, Texas
Rockwall has a population of about 50,000 and spans 30 square miles. Located east of Dallas in Rockwall County, it’s close to Interstate 30 and Interstate 635. The drive to DFW International Airport takes 45 minutes to an hour, while Dallas Love Field is 35 to 40 minutes away. The commute to downtown Dallas is about 30 minutes, and it’s about an hour to downtown Fort Worth.
Key Stats:
- Median Household Income: $115,000
- School District: Rockwall ISD (Overall rating: A, 94/100)
- Crime and Safety Rating: A-
- Median Home Price: $496,000
Conclusion
Exploring these top small cities in Dallas-Fort Worth reveals a variety of excellent living options with strong communities, good schools, and reasonable commutes. If you have any questions about moving to the area, feel free to contact us.