When it comes to the great state of Texas, it's no secret that everything is bigger and better. And this sentiment rings especially true in the sprawling metropolis of Dallas. While Dallas itself is a vibrant and bustling city, it's often the surrounding suburbs that offer a quieter, more family-friendly way of life. In this post, we're going to take a tour through the top 7 suburbs of Dallas, giving you an idea of just what to expect when you call one of these places home. 

1. Frisco

We are kicking off our list with Frisco, Texas. This suburb is one of the most popular in all of the DFW and for good reason. It has a great location and plenty of employment opportunities for those who don't really want to commute.

Frisco, with a population of 227,000, is located approximately 28.5 miles from Dallas, taking around 30-40 minutes to reach without heavy traffic. The proximity to DFW Airport is also favorable, sitting at 23 miles and a 20-30 minute drive without congestion.

In terms of housing, Frisco boasts a median home price of $700,000 in September 2023, showing a YoY increase of 9%. The average home price stands at $778,502, with a 4.2% YoY growth. The real estate market is competitive, with a 2.2-month supply, which is an 8.3% YoY decrease. There are currently 437 homes for sale, marking a 21.3% YoY drop. Notably, WalletHub ranks Frisco as the #2 Real Estate Market in the country.

Frisco is also renowned for its education system. Frisco Independent School District (ISD) holds an A+ rating from Niche.com, ranking as the third-best school district in Collin County and among the top 1.5% of school districts in Texas. It is home to 12 high schools, 18 middle schools, and 43 elementary schools. Among these, Frisco High School stands out with an A+ rating from Niche.com and its place among the top 500 high schools in the United States and the top 60 in Texas.

2. Plano

Plano, Texas is another extremely popular suburb in Dallas. This city has tons of charm and is the perfect mix of the old and the new. You can head to East Plano for a more historic experience or West Plano for all of the new additions.

Plano, with a population of 292,000, is a mere 20 miles or 25-30 minutes away from Dallas under normal traffic conditions. The proximity to DFW Airport is also advantageous, at 26 miles and a 20-30 minute drive without heavy traffic.

Regarding the housing market, the median home price in September 2023 is $519,000, marking a 1.9% YoY increase. The average home price is $594,007, with a slight decrease of 0.6% YoY. The real estate market has a 2.1-month supply, which has increased by 5% YoY. Currently, there are 396 homes for sale. WalletHub ranks Plano as the 24th best real estate market in the country.

Plano Independent School District (ISD) holds an A+ rating from Niche.com and ranks as the 27th best school district in Texas and 309th among the best school districts in the United States. It encompasses 6 high schools, 13 middle schools, and 44 elementary schools. Among the high schools, Plano East Senior High is distinguished for its A+ rating and its position as the 37th best public high school in Texas with 3,124 students. Additionally, Plano West Senior High School holds an A+ rating, ranks as the 56th best public high school in Texas, and is placed 112th among the best college prep public high schools in the USA.

3 . Allen

Allen, Texas is very much an ideal suburbia. There are tons of homes at different price points and there is plenty to do for all ages. While the city is mostly built out, there are still some scarce new construction opportunities at several price points. You can head to the Allen Mall or catch a football game at the famous Allen Eagle Stadium.

Allen, with a population of 109,000, is situated 26 miles from Dallas, which typically takes 30-40 minutes to reach without heavy traffic. The distance to DFW Airport is approximately 32 miles and 30-40 minutes without congestion.

In the realm of real estate, the median home price in September 2023 is $533,250, with a slight YoY increase of 0.1%. The average home price is $588,808, showing a 1.1% YoY growth. The real estate market maintains a 2.2-month supply, with no YoY change. Currently, there are 199 homes for sale. WalletHub ranks Allen as the #6 Best Real Estate Market in the country.

The Allen Independent School District (ISD) enjoys an A+ rating from Niche.com. It is the fifth-best school district in Texas, the best school district in Collin County, and among the top 100 school districts in the USA. This district houses 1 high school, 3 middle schools, and 16 elementary schools. Notably, Allen High School, the largest in Texas, is home to the fourth-largest high school stadium in the nation, with a seating capacity of 18,000. It ranks among the top 100 high schools in Texas.

4. McKinney

McKinney, Texas is a personal favorite for lots of people. Because this city has character. This is an older suburb of Dallas and it's history can be seen all over. You can head to downtown McKinney for a night out with friends or family and you will sure to have a great time!

McKinney, with a population of 214,000, is located 32.5 miles away from Dallas, taking 35-45 minutes under normal traffic conditions. The distance to DFW Airport is 33 miles, with a 25-35 minute drive without congestion.

In the housing market, the median home price in September 2023 is $515,000, marking a 4.1% YoY decrease. The average home price is $568,336, showing a 3.9% YoY decrease. The real estate market has a 2.1-month supply, which has decreased by 12.5% YoY. There are currently 489 homes for sale. WalletHub ranks McKinney as the #1 Real Estate Market in the country.

The McKinney Independent School District (ISD) holds an A rating from Niche.com and is recognized among the top 50 school districts in Texas (41) and the top 500 school districts in the USA (461). It encompasses 3 high schools, 5 middle schools, and 20 elementary schools. McKinney High School, one of the three public high schools in McKinney, maintains an A rating from Niche.com and serves 2,950 students.

5. Prosper

Prosper, Texas is growing. While the city itself isn't new, all of the construction is, and you have the opportunity to get some beautiful new construction homes at several price points.

Prosper, with a population of 37,700, is approximately 37.5 miles or 40-50 minutes away from Dallas without heavy traffic. The distance to DFW Airport is 32.5 miles, with a 35-45 minute drive.

In the housing market, the median home price in September 2023 is $800,900, marking a 2.1% YoY increase. The average home price is $871,219, showing a substantial 7.5% YoY growth. The real estate market has a 2.9-month supply, which has decreased significantly by 29.3% YoY. Currently, there are 242 homes for sale.

The Prosper Independent School District (ISD) boasts an A+ rating from Niche.com. It is recognized as one of the top 2% school districts in the country and the top 1% in Texas. The district encompasses 3 high schools, 4 middle schools, and 15 elementary schools. Prosper High School, part of the Prosper ISD, also holds an A+ rating and serves 3,800 students. 

6. Celina

What can we say about Celina, Texas other than you better act fast. People are heading here in droves as new construction properties are popping up everywhere! This is another great city that has that small-town country feel with the convenience of only being a short drive to major cities like Frisco and Plano.

Celina, a smaller town with a population of 43,000, is situated 43 miles away from Dallas, which takes approximately 50-60 minutes to reach without heavy traffic. The distance to DFW Airport is 38 miles, requiring 40-50 minutes of travel without congestion.

In the housing market, Celina offers a median home price of $592,000 in September 2023, marking a 2.1% YoY increase. The average home price is $631,719, showing a 5.2% YoY decrease. The real estate market maintains a 2.9-month supply, with a 21.6% YoY decrease. Currently, there are 286 homes for sale.

Celina Independent School District (ISD) holds a B+ rating from Niche.com. The district encompasses one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools. Celina High School, with a B+ rating, is ranked 136th for the best high schools for athletes in Texas.

7. Melissa

And here it is. The hidden gem that is Melissa, Texas. This Dallas Texas suburb is gaining more and more popularity due to it's new construction properties in development and it's small town feel. It is far enough away from major cities that you don't feel so caught up in the urban lifestyle but close enough that you can make a trip with no hassle whatsoever.

Melissa, with a population of 23,000, is located 40.5 miles from Dallas, which typically takes 50-60 minutes to reach without heavy traffic. The distance to DFW Airport is 41 miles, with a 40-50 minute drive.

In terms of housing, the median home price in September 2023 is $480,000, showing a significant 9.6% YoY decrease. The average home price is $506,745, with a 4% YoY decrease. The real estate market has a 2.6-month supply, which has decreased by 42.2% YoY. Currently, there are 176 homes for sale.

Melissa Independent School District (ISD) holds an A rating from Niche.com, ranking among the top 40 school districts in Texas (36). The district encompasses one high school, one middle school, and two elementary schools. Melissa High School, with an A rating, ranks among the top 100 public high schools in Texas, serving 1,315 students.

Let the Living in Dallas Texas Team Help You Make Your Move

From the bustling growth of Frisco to the serene charm of Melissa, each suburb has its own unique character and appeal. Whether you prioritize a thriving real estate market or top-notch education, the suburbs of Dallas have something to offer for everyone. So, whether you're a prospective homebuyer or simply looking to explore what Texas has to offer, these suburbs should be at the top of your list for consideration. Contact the Living in Dallas Texas Team today so we can help you find the perfect suburb and make that smooth move to Dallas!