Which is the best Dallas suburb for your family? No question, people are moving to the top suburbs of Dallas, Texas in droves. In fact, Dallas-Forth Worth is about to pass Chicago as the #3 largest metro in the United States.
It’s no surprise. Dallas is a modern metropolis in North Texas known for its cultural activities. The best things to do in Dallas include opera, ballet, musicals, concerts, and going to a Dallas Cowboys game.
On top of that Dallas, TX is a center of business opportunities and educational institutions for the region. This alone makes it a hot destination for people to visit and live in.
Check out this best Dallas suburbs map to see where each city listed is located in proximity to Downtown Dallas.
However, if you want to get away from fast-paced city living, Dallas offers many amazing suburbs nearby. From Frisco to Arlington, there are tons of fabulous Dallas metro suburbs to choose from.
Are you looking for a house in the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area? We list the 10 best suburbs of Dallas for families and new homeowners alike.
Top Suburbs Of Dallas Criteria
When it comes to choosing the perfect Dallas, Texas suburb to live in, there are several factors to think about.
For families, you’ll want to consider a suburb’s public school system and access to amenities like parks and family-friendly attractions. On the other hand, retirees may value lower crime and safety and a quieter nightlife compared to young professionals.
Whether you’re interested in a small-town vibe or a big city this guide can help. Without further ado, let’s find the perfect town or suburb near Dallas for you!
1. Coppell
If you’re moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Coppell, Texas is the first suburb on our list. Most people are drawn to the city of Coppell because of its highly-rated public school system.
In fact, its public schools are rated A+, along with being rated A+ for families in Dallas according to Niche.com. These rankings are then followed by A for Diversity, A- for housing, A- for Nightlife, and lastly, B- for crime and safety.
Homeowner Pro Tip: Professional painting and drywall repair prices are the lowest of the year this month. Get your free painting price quote online now.
Likewise, Coppell, TX offers its residents a rather dense suburban feel with a population of 41,645. Because of its rich population, there are a plentiful amount of activities for your family to choose from. These include restaurants, coffee shops, and parks to visit.
Moreover, its residents tend to have moderate political views. Lastly, Coppell’s median home value is priced reasonably at around $388,800. Indeed, real estate is very reasonable when compared to pricier Dallas suburbs nearby.
Which Texas city is best for families among popular metros like Houston, San Antonio, or Arlington? See how Dallas ranks in our list of the 12 best places to live in Texas.
2. University Park
Many describe University Park, TX as being a suburb with a “perfect mix.” Accordingly, the town offers the luxury of an affluent neighborhood, without being as gaudy or over the top. Compared to Coppell, University Park offers a more sparse suburban feel.
No question University Park, TX is a very safe neighborhood with a low crime rate. This makes it perfect for families moving in. Not to mention, this popular suburb is also accommodating to young professionals.
Big news! Improovy just launched its newest location serving all of Dallas and North DFW suburbs. Get your free interior or exterior painting quote now by visiting our Plano, Texas homepage. Easy, fast, and quality painting without the hassle of dealing with the typical Dallas painting contractor.
Moreover, University Park is very close to Uptown, with easy access to all the best parts of the city. Looking for fun things to do in Dallas over the weekend? Head on over to the city and enjoy live music or even boating. For a day trip, you can go to one of Dallas’s shopping centers nearby.
However, a potential downside to this suburb is its cost of living. Indeed, living in University Park, Texas is more expensive than the average Dallas suburb. Certainly, University Park is still one of the richer Dallas neighborhoods with a median home value of $1,295,500. But if you can afford to live in this area, it’s definitely worth your dollar. Finally, University Park is home to Southern Methodist University, where many students living in town attend.
3. Southlake
Next up is Southlake, Texas. Located in Tarrant County, Southlake is a suburb with a rural feel. Likewise, this popular Dallas suburb is most known for its top public high schools. When compared to our top two neighborhoods, Southlake leans more conservative.
Moreover, the median home value sits at $676,900 in Southlake. Undeniably, the average home value here is significantly lower than University Park, TX.
One quality that makes Southlake, TX stand out is its family-oriented community. Another key point is that you can get a private school education at a public school price here. On top of that, the town offers an array of cute parks, restaurants, shopping centers, and chains. All in all, if you are looking to raise a family near Dallas, there are plenty of things to do nearby.
The wait is over. Improovy’s list of top paint colors for home exteriors in the U.S. is live! See which popular exterior paint colors made this year’s list.
4. Frisco
Frisco, Texas is one of the more populated Dallas suburbs. With a population of 177,020, it has a dense suburban feel compared to others in Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Along with this, Frisco ranks higher than other suburbs in terms of diversity.
What makes Frisco notable on the list is its top-notch public education system and the city’s family-friendly environment. Not to mention, Downtown Frisco is home to the National Video Game Museum and Sci-Tech Discovery Center. These make for great nearby activities for families with kids.
Because of its high population, Frisco is almost a city in itself. It’s a developed area with tons of supermarkets and shopping centers short distances away from each other. Given that, this city also offering plentiful nature sights and parks. Thus, Frisco is the perfect suburb if you are looking for that mix of urban and suburban. Lastly, its median home value sits at $395,900 which is slightly higher than average for affluent Dallas metro suburbs.
Find out how design experts coordinate wall paint colors with wood floors in our latest guide for homeowners!
5. Plano
Of all the Dallas Suburbs, Plano takes the cake for diversity. For those from a smaller town, living in Plano, TX can be a bit of a culture shock. More specifically, its population is around 287,064 people. This is far greater than any suburb in Dallas we’ve ranked so far.
A benefit of a bigger city is that downtown Plano has a lot to offer. From parks and malls to amazing spots to eat, this is a perfect Dallas city for families. This larger suburb has beautiful urban sights to see as well. Whether you are a young professional or have a family, Plano could be perfect for you. Surprisingly, Plano has a lot to offer for nightlife, ranking an A on Niche.
It’s worth noting that Plano has a decent amount of crime for a Dallas suburb with a C+ rating. Regardless, many families still choose to settle down and buy a home here.
Not surprisingly, Plano is rated as the #5 best city to buy a house in America. The median home value sits at $320,100 which is average for Dallas neighborhoods. Lastly, Plano is the US headquarters of Toyota motors. This means there are plenty of marketing, sales, engineering, and manufacturing jobs in Plano, TX.
Considering an interior or exterior refresh for your home in the Dallas area? Find out how much it will cost to paint your home in Dallas this year.
6. Flower Mound, TX
Flower Mound is a beautiful rural suburb in Dallas, Texas. Residents in this neighborhood tend to lean more conservative. Like others we’ve seen so far, Flower Mound is rated highly because of its amazing public schools.
Moreover, the town is very safe and family-friendly. On the other hand, some residents complain about its lack of diversity and aging downtown district. As a result, the stores are rather hom*ogenous and restaurants are rather hom*ogenous. Overall, real estate is reasonable here with a median home value of $361,900.
Certainly, painting a home interior before you move is essential to making your new Dallas area house your own. Accordingly, painting your bathroom walls can transform the room into a zen-like getaway. Luckily, you can use our favorite 10 bathroom paint colors to find the perfect shade. In turn, creating a space you’ll love for years.
7. Colleyville
Colleyville, Texas is a rural suburban town with a population of 26,462. Residents here also tend to lean conservative. Colleyville ranks highly for having great public schools and being great for families however it lacks diversity. Residents here rave about the wonderful community on top of its local parks, trails, restaurants, and shops. Colleyville’s median home value is $516,500 and is ranked #2 in the best places to live in Tarrant County.
8. Richardson
Another top Dallas-Fort Worth area city is Richardson, TX. What most notably differentiates Richardson from any of the other DFW suburbs is its ranked #5 in the best cities to retire in America. In addition, Richardson is outstanding for its diversity while having great public schools and being good for families. Richardson also offers an urban-suburban mix with great nightlife. Indeed, the makes it a desirable place for young professionals as well.
Certainly, Richardson has a fair amount of good restaurants, parks, and natural preserve areas. However, residents suggest that you will have to visit neighboring cities to enjoy amenities like concerts or amusem*nt parks. Lastly, with a median home value of $274,200, it’s a very affordable suburb of Dallas, Texas.
9. Highland Park
Highland Park, TX is a dense suburban neighborhood in Dallas County. Many of its residents are conservatives. The standouts of Highland Park are its public schools and family-friendly amenities. Not to mention, this suburban city’s nightlife is top rated given its proximity to downtown Dallas. On the other hand, Highland Park ranks poorly for diversity. Likewise, the town is rated low at a C+ for its access to affordable housing. With a median home value of $1,508,900, its real estate values are higher than the other Dallas neighborhoods.
Regardless, residents still rave about the aesthetic of the community, commenting that the houses are very gorgeous. We found that a common critique is the neighborhood has a reputation of being too posh or exclusive for the average home buyer. However, Highland Park is still one of the best Dallas suburbs to raise a family if you can afford it.
10. Murphy, Texas
Last but not least we have the city of Murphy, Texas. Indeed, Murphy is also a rural suburb of Dallas, and its median home value is $351,400. A few things stand out about Murphy in contrast to other towns on our list. With a population of only 20,612 this quaint suburb is smaller than the average Dallas metro town. Next, Murphy has excellent public schools, great family-friendliness rankings, and is top-rated for its diversity.
However, it ranks poorly for its nightlife. As a result, Murphy, TX is not the best place to move to if you are a young professional seeking a social scene.
Nonetheless, residents praise its tight-knit sense of community. No question, it’s a place where individuals love to build relationships with their neighbors.
DFW Housing Market
Current trends and forecasts predict that the Dallas Fort Worth housing market will continue to stay robust. Over the last 5 years, home values have increased by over 78% and currently, the median sale price of a single-family home is around $360,000. Experts predict that this increase will slow down a bit, however, will still continue to increase in the near future.
If you are a home buyer looking to purchase your first home here, we definitely recommend finding a top local Dallas realtor. They can help you navigate the pros and cons of each Dallas area suburb.
Unquestionably, Dallas and Chicago are some of the largest metros in North America. Find out what Chicago homes rank as the most expensive ever sold in our latest article.
Dallas Jobs
Compared to other Texas cities, Dallas is known for its exceptional job market. Currently, Dallas jobs are growing at 4.1% annually. In turn, earning its place at the #4 spot in the best-performing markets among the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas. Despite the pandemic, Dallas has rebounded. Indeed, its rapid population growth increases local job and employment opportunities. Today, the state of Texas has more jobs than it did before the pandemic hit.
Overall, Dallas job growth has increased by 15.4% in the past 10 years. Additionally, the unemployment rate in Dallas was 3.6% as of December 2021. The most common industries that the city employs are technology, financial services, and defense.
Dallas Public Schools
The reason many families choose public schools in Dallas is the low cost compared to private education options. With this in mind, the Dallas offers many great suburbs that are widely known for their solid schools. Some notable mentions are Highland Park, Carroll, Lovejoy, and Coppell, TX school systems. These all rank in the top four positions for best school districts in the DFW metroplex. For most first-time families moving to Texas, the most important factor to consider is an area’s public school system. Luckily, Dallas has plenty of great suburban school systems to choose from.
