1. Princeton — America’s Fastest-Growing City With a Rare Price Drop

Princeton, TX has been quietly rewriting growth records. According to U.S. Census data, its population jumped 30.6% in one year — from 28,000 to over 37,000 residents — and has more than doubled since 2020.

Why it’s a 2026 hotspot:

• Median home price: $297,000 — down 16.1% from last year.
• Temporary construction pause for infrastructure upgrades, but 10,000+ new homes already approved.
• Affordable access to major job hubs in North Dallas.

💡 Tip: When construction resumes, expect a fast price rebound — a textbook buy-before-the-boom scenario.

2. Aubrey — Master Planning Done Right

While most suburbs race to catch up to growth, Aubrey, TX is following its Aubrey 2045 Comprehensive Plan to ensure roads, utilities, and services are in place before the surge.

Why it’s a 2026 hotspot:

• Median home price: $322,000 — down 6.9%.
• Major developments like Duck Point Project and Union Park already underway.
• Funded by Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) to avoid bottlenecks.

If you want a well-planned, affordable community, Aubrey is one to watch.

3. Celina — Luxury Lifestyle at a Discount

Celina, TX is known for master-planned neighborhoods, resort-style amenities, and top-tier schools. Communities like Light Farms and Mustang Lakes are favorites for families looking for more space and lifestyle perks.

Why it’s a 2026 hotspot:

• Median home price: $572,000 — down 13.5% from last year.
• Undervalued considering Celina’s long-term appreciation trends.
• Offers a chance to buy luxury during a market correction.

4. Frisco — Billion-Dollar Developments Arriving in 2026

Already a North Texas powerhouse, Frisco is about to level up with:

• Grand Park — 1,000+ acres, larger than NYC’s Central Park.
• Firefly Park — $2.5B mixed-use with offices, retail, hotels, and 2,000 homes.
• Universal Kids Resort — $550M theme park with Shrek, Jurassic World, and more.

Median home price: $691,000 — down 4.7%, offering a rare entry point before values spike.

5. Melissa — Texas’s Safest City with Rising Fundamentals

Named Texas’s Safest City in 2024, Melissa blends small-town charm with proximity to the Dallas metroplex.

Why it’s a 2026 hotspot:

• Median home price: $477,000 — down 4.7%.
• Price per sq. ft. is up 7.2%, signaling growing demand.
• Strong household incomes ($137K median) and expanding amenities.

6. Sherman — The Next Industrial Powerhouse

Sherman, TX is making headlines thanks to Texas Instruments’ $40+ billion investment in four semiconductor plants — serving Apple, Ford, and Nvidia.

Why it’s a 2026 hotspot:

• Median home price: $297,000 — up 2.9% year-over-year.
• 3,000+ direct high-paying jobs plus thousands of indirect positions.
• Modeled after Austin’s tech boom — but in North Texas.

Q: How Can Buyers and Investors Capitalize Before 2026?

• Track price trends and watch for dips in your target market.
• Focus on areas with confirmed, funded major projects (city planning portals are key).
• Partner with a Dallas-area relocation expert who specializes in high-growth corridors.

For more regional growth insight, see the Dallas Regional Chamber’s economic development updates.

Bottom Line:

By 2026, Princeton, Aubrey, Celina, Frisco, Melissa, and Sherman won’t be hidden gems anymore. The mix of job growth, infrastructure expansion, and strategic planning makes them some of the best real estate bets in Texas right now.

📌 Start your search with Dallas’s official growth projections and compare top-performing suburbs in Best Cities in North Dallas to Move to in 2025.