Top 10 Best Towns to Live in Texas

Direct Answer

The Best Overall town to live in Texas is Southlake, a polished Northeast Tarrant County suburb where a median home price near $1.05 million buys access to the state's top-rated Carroll ISD, exceptionally low crime, and the walkable Southlake Town Square. The Best Value pick is Allen, where a median home price around $475,000 delivers strong Allen ISD schools, a famous high-school football culture, and an easy commute to both Dallas and Plano for far less money per square foot.

This list is built for families and dual-income professionals who want excellent schools, safe streets, and a reasonable commute into the Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston metro job centers — whether the budget sits near $450,000 or stretches past $1 million. Every pick below uses real, publicly reported data from Census figures, Zillow, Niche, and district report cards.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each town against the priorities Texas families actually rank highest when they relocate, drawing on published data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, Niche, GreatSchools, BestPlaces, and Realtor.com. The weighting:

• Affordability and home value — 25%
• Public school quality — 20%
• Safety and crime rates — 20%
• Jobs and commute access — 15%
• Amenities and lifestyle — 10%
• Community feel — 10%

A town with elite schools but punishing prices, or great value with weak safety, slips down the order. The winners balance all six without a glaring weakness.

1. Southlake 🏆 BEST OVERALL

County: Tarrant | Median home: $1,050,000 | Best for: Families chasing top schools in a polished suburb

Southlake, population roughly 32,000, sits between Dallas and Fort Worth with quick access to DFW International Airport. Its anchor is Carroll ISD, consistently ranked among the best districts in Texas, with high state accountability scores and powerhouse athletics.

The median home price near $1.05 million reflects large lots and custom builds, and the cost of living runs well above the state average. Violent crime is very low, and the town centers on Southlake Town Square, an open-air district packed with dining, shopping, and a movie theater that doubles as the community's living room.

The vibe is affluent, family-first, and meticulously kept. Commutes to the Las Colinas and Alliance corporate corridors run 25–35 minutes.

Pros:

• Top-ranked Carroll ISD schools and athletics
• Walkable Southlake Town Square dining and retail
• Very low crime and pristine neighborhoods
• Minutes from DFW Airport and major job corridors

Cons:

• Median home prices above $1 million lock out many buyers
• Property taxes on high values run steep

Verdict: Southlake wins on balance — elite schools, low crime, walkable amenities, and airport access with no real weak spot.

2. Frisco

County: Collin / Denton | Median home: $650,000 | Best for: Families who want new construction and big-league amenities

Frisco, population roughly 225,000, has been one of the fastest-growing cities in America for a decade. Frisco ISD earns strong marks, and the town hosts The Star (Dallas Cowboys headquarters), Toyota Stadium, and the PGA of America campus. The median home price near $650,000 buys newer homes in master-planned communities.

Crime is low, and the corporate growth along the $5 Billion Mile of the Dallas North Tollway keeps jobs close. Commutes to Plano and North Dallas run 20–30 minutes.

Pros:

• Strong Frisco ISD and abundant new-build housing
• Major sports and corporate campuses nearby
• Low crime and family-oriented neighborhoods
• Booming local job base along the tollway

Cons:

• Rapid growth means heavy traffic at peak hours
• Limited mature tree cover in newer subdivisions

Verdict: A growth-era favorite — buy here for new homes, jobs, and amenities without million-dollar pricing.

3. The Woodlands

County: Montgomery | Median home: $525,000 | Best for: Houston-area families who want forested, master-planned living

The Woodlands, population roughly 120,000, is a heavily wooded master-planned community about 30 miles north of downtown Houston. Conroe ISD and feeder schools earn solid ratings, and the area is famous for its tree-canopy preservation, miles of trails, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion concert venue.

The median home price around $525,000 spans starter homes to estates. Crime is low, and a strong local employment base (energy and healthcare) means many residents barely commute. Trips to downtown Houston run 40–50 minutes via I-45.

Pros:

• Forested setting with extensive trails and parks
• Strong local job base in energy and healthcare
• The Woodlands Mall and Market Street shopping
• Solid Conroe ISD schools

Cons:

• I-45 commute to central Houston can be long
• Summer humidity and flooding risk in low areas

Verdict: The greenest large suburb in Texas — ideal for Houston professionals who want trees and trails.

4. Coppell

County: Dallas | Median home: $625,000 | Best for: Families wanting a compact, established town near the airport

Coppell, population roughly 42,000, is a built-out, mature suburb wedged against DFW Airport on the Dallas County side. Coppell ISD is among the most respected in the metro, and the town's smaller footprint gives it a tight-knit feel. The median home price near $625,000 reflects established neighborhoods with mature trees rather than sprawl.

Crime is very low, and the central location puts Las Colinas, Irving, and downtown Dallas within a 20–30 minute commute. Old Town Coppell and Andy Brown Park anchor community life.

Pros:

• Highly rated Coppell ISD in a compact district
• Mature, tree-lined established neighborhoods
• Central location minutes from DFW Airport
• Very low crime and strong community feel

Cons:

• Little new construction; inventory is tight
• Airport-adjacent areas get aircraft noise

Verdict: A polished, established pick — perfect for buyers who value mature neighborhoods and central access.

5. Sugar Land

County: Fort Bend | Median home: $475,000 | Best for: Southwest Houston families wanting diversity and value

Sugar Land, population roughly 111,000, anchors fast-growing Fort Bend County southwest of Houston, one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the nation. Fort Bend ISD and nearby districts earn good marks, and the town offers a mix of master-planned communities and an active Town Square.

The median home price around $475,000 makes it a relative value for the space. Crime is low, and commutes to the Houston Energy Corridor and Medical Center run 30–45 minutes via US-59. Constellation Field hosts minor-league baseball.

Pros:

• Strong value at roughly $475,000 median
• Diverse, welcoming community
• Sugar Land Town Square dining and events
• Good Fort Bend ISD schools

Cons:

• Houston-bound commutes face heavy traffic
• Flood mitigation matters in some older sections

Verdict: A high-value Houston suburb — diverse, comfortable, and far cheaper than DFW's elite picks.

6. Flower Mound

County: Denton / Tarrant | Median home: $625,000 | Best for: Families who want open space and top schools northwest of DFW

Flower Mound, population roughly 80,000, takes its name from a real wildflower-covered hill and protects large amounts of open space and trails along Lake Grapevine. Students attend the well-regarded Lewisville ISD. The median home price near $625,000 buys larger lots than denser suburbs.

Crime is very low, and the location near SH-121 and I-35E keeps Dallas and Fort Worth jobs within a 30–40 minute reach. The town's parks system and lake access define the outdoor-friendly vibe.

Pros:

• Abundant parks, trails, and Lake Grapevine access
• Strong Lewisville ISD schools
• Very low crime and spacious lots
• Balanced access to both Dallas and Fort Worth

Cons:

• Fewer walkable downtown amenities than Southlake
• Commute times rise during DFW rush hours

Verdict: The outdoorsy DFW choice — buy for open space, lake access, and strong schools.

7. Allen 💎 BEST VALUE

County: Collin | Median home: $475,000 | Best for: Value-focused families who still want top schools

Allen, population roughly 110,000, sits just north of Plano in booming Collin County and delivers the best quality-of-life-per-dollar on this list. Allen ISD is highly rated, and the city is famous for its 18,000-seat Eagle Stadium high-school football venue. The median home price around $475,000 undercuts Frisco and Southlake while keeping you in the same elite school belt.

Crime is low, and the Allen Premium Outlets, Watters Creek, and an extensive trail system round out amenities. Commutes to Plano corporate campuses run just 15–25 minutes.

Pros:

• Top Allen ISD schools at a sub-$500k median
• Short commute to Plano's corporate job base
• Strong amenities: outlets, trails, Watters Creek
• Lower entry price than Frisco or Southlake

Cons:

• Less new luxury inventory than Frisco
• Tollway and US-75 traffic builds at peak hours

Verdict: The value champion — nearly the same schools and safety as the pricier picks for far less money.

8. Cedar Park

County: Williamson / Travis | Median home: $500,000 | Best for: Austin-area families who want suburban value near tech jobs

Cedar Park, population roughly 80,000, anchors the fast-growing northwest Austin suburbs in Williamson County. Leander ISD earns solid ratings, and the town offers a younger, tech-tilted population drawn by Austin's job market. The median home price around $500,000 is a relative bargain versus central Austin.

Crime is low, and the H-E-B Center hosts minor-league hockey and concerts. Commutes to downtown Austin and the Domain tech district run 25–40 minutes via US-183.

Pros:

• Strong value near Austin's tech economy
• Good Leander ISD schools
• Younger, growing, amenity-rich community
• H-E-B Center sports and entertainment

Cons:

• Austin-area traffic congestion is significant
• Home prices rising faster than DFW value picks

Verdict: The Austin-area value play — suburban space and schools within reach of tech jobs.

9. Fulshear

County: Fort Bend | Median home: $525,000 | Best for: Buyers wanting brand-new master-planned homes west of Houston

Fulshear, population roughly 42,000 and climbing fast, is one of the fastest-growing towns in Texas, built almost entirely from new master-planned communities like Cross Creek Ranch west of Houston. Lamar CISD and Katy ISD schools serve the area well. The median home price around $525,000 buys brand-new construction with modern amenities, pools, and trails.

Crime is very low, and while the commute to central Houston runs 45–55 minutes, many residents work closer in the Katy and Energy Corridor areas.

Pros:

• Brand-new master-planned homes and amenities
• Very low crime in a small-town setting
• Strong Lamar CISD and Katy ISD options
• Resort-style community pools and trails

Cons:

• Long commute to central Houston
• Still-developing infrastructure and retail

Verdict: The new-build pick west of Houston — ideal for buyers who want modern homes and a small-town feel.

10. Colleyville

County: Tarrant | Median home: $850,000 | Best for: Affluent families wanting larger lots and top schools

Colleyville, population roughly 26,000, is a smaller, upscale neighbor to Southlake in Northeast Tarrant County, known for larger one-acre-plus lots and an estate feel. Students attend the highly rated Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. The median home price near $850,000 sits below Southlake while still offering luxury.

Crime is very low, and the central location keeps DFW Airport and both downtowns within easy reach. The town leans quiet and residential, with Colleyville Town Center providing local dining and shopping.

Pros:

• Large lots and an estate-style residential feel
• Strong Grapevine-Colleyville ISD schools
• Very low crime and central DFW location
• More space per dollar than Southlake

Cons:

• Fewer walkable amenities than larger suburbs
• Still firmly in luxury price territory

Verdict: The roomy luxury alternative to Southlake — buy for acreage and top schools at a slight discount.

Which Town Is Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Town in Texas

• School district boundaries — In Texas, the district often matters more than the city name. Confirm exactly which ISD and feeder schools serve a specific address before you buy.
• Property tax rates — Texas has no state income tax but high property taxes; a higher rate on a pricey home can outweigh a cheaper sticker elsewhere.
• Commute reality — Test-drive the route at rush hour. DFW tollways and Houston freeways behave very differently at 8 a.m. Than on a Sunday.
• Flood and drainage history — Especially around Houston, check FEMA flood zones, drainage upgrades, and whether a property flooded in past storms.
• Master-planned vs established — New communities offer modern amenities but young trees and ongoing construction; established towns offer mature shade but less inventory.
• Property tax exemptions — Homestead and over-65 exemptions can meaningfully lower your bill; factor them into total cost.

What matters less than marketing implies: glossy community-brochure logos, model-home upgrades, and "city of the year" press releases. School ratings, tax rates, commute times, and flood maps affect your daily life far more than any slogan.

FAQ

What is the best overall town to live in Texas? Southlake earns our top spot for combining top-ranked Carroll ISD schools, very low crime, walkable amenities at Southlake Town Square, and quick DFW Airport access, despite a median home price near $1.05 million.

Which Texas town offers the best value? Allen is our value pick, with a median home price around $475,000 delivering top Allen ISD schools, low crime, and a short Plano commute for far less than Southlake or Frisco.

Which Texas suburbs have the best schools? Carroll ISD (Southlake), Coppell ISD, Allen ISD, Frisco ISD, and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD consistently rank among the strongest districts in the state.

What is the best place to live near Houston? The Woodlands leads for forested master-planned living, while Sugar Land offers diverse, lower-cost suburban life and Fulshear delivers brand-new construction.

Which Texas town is best for Austin tech workers? Cedar Park offers suburban value, solid Leander ISD schools, and a 25–40 minute commute to downtown Austin and the Domain tech district.

Are Texas property taxes high in these towns? Yes — Texas has no state income tax but among the higher property tax rates nationally, so factor the rate and any homestead exemptions into your total monthly cost.

Bottom Line

For Texas, Southlake is our Best Overall town — its top-ranked Carroll ISD, very low crime, walkable Town Square, and airport access justify a median home near $1.05 million. Allen, around $475,000, is our Best Value, delivering nearly the same elite schools and safety for far less.

If your priorities lean toward Houston, Austin, new construction, or larger lots, use the decision tree above to route yourself to The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Fulshear, Cedar Park, Frisco, or Colleyville instead. Choose on schools, taxes, commute, and flood risk — not on a glossy slogan — and you will be happy for years.

Sources

• Niche — Best Places to Live in Texas
• U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts by city
• Zillow — Texas home values and prices
• Realtor.com — Texas housing market data
• BestPlaces — Texas cost of living and crime
• GreatSchools — Texas school district ratings
• Texas Education Agency — district accountability ratings
• Money / Livability — Best Places to Live
• Carroll ISD — Southlake district information

*best towns to live in Texas review — where to live, rankings, home prices, schools, and a review of the best places to live in Texas.*