Dallas is a big Texas city that includes Fort Worth and Arlington as part of the metro. The city is one that’s growing rapidly and thriving. The economy is strong, there’s a vibrant art and cultural scene, and there are a lot of restaurants. Dallas is often described as a foodie town. While there are a lot of things to love about life in Dallas, it’s also a city with a lot of traffic and a relatively high cost of living compared to other parts of Texas.
A lot of people will opt for one of the Dallas suburbs as their home base, so they’re close to the amenities of the city, but they have a quieter living environment, and it’s perhaps more family-friendly.
With that in mind, the following are seven great Dallas suburbs right now, especially for families but for anyone who’s looking for a high quality of life.
1. McKinney
McKinney is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro, and it’s in parts of Collin and Denton Counties. For the past few decades, McKinney’s population has been steadily growing. There are a lot of new construction home options like livinginmckinney.com if you’re considering a move to McKinney, and it’s only around 35 miles northeast of Dallas.
McKinney has top-ranked schools and a charming historic downtown. Despite being one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, McKinney retains a small-town feel. In 2014, it was named the best place to live in the country by Money Magazine.
There is a range of types of housing in McKinney and family-friendly amenities.
2. Fairview
Fairview is in Collin County, and it has one of the highest median household incomes in Texas. Around 77% of residents own their homes, and just over 23% are renters. In 2021, the average cost of a single-family home was $350,730. The crime rates in Fairview are low, and the schools are great.
Fairview actually has the lowest overall crime rates in the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metro. It’s around 30 miles from downtown Dallas and 56 miles from downtown Fort Worth.
For people who work in the Legacy business center, it’s around a 14-minute commute. If you’re traveling to the north Dallas business center, your commute will be around 30 minutes, and to DFW International Airport, you can expect around a 30-minute drive as well.
3. Allen
Allen is a small city that has many ranch-style homes and also farmhouses. Allen is a northern suburb of Dallas, and it’s in Collin County.
Allen has a lot of family-friendly events and outdoor activities. Amenities include golf at The Courses at Watters Creek or wakeboarding at Hydrous Wake Park. There’s the Edge Visitor Center with street hockey, skateboarding, and BMX biking. For people who like to shop, there are the Allen Premium Outlets and The Village at Allen.
The housing market is competitive in Allen, and homes receive eight offers on average, selling in around 21 days. The average sale price of a home in Allen was recently $600,000, up nearly 35% since last year. The average price per square foot to buy a house in the community is $225, which is 19.7% higher than the same time last year.
4. Frisco
Frisco is a fast-growing city that’s located around 25 miles north of Dallas. Frisco is in both Collin and Denton County, and it’s one of the most family-friendly places to live in the country.
Outdoor amenities include Central Park, with a waterfall and green space, and Frisco Commons Park, hiking and biking, as well as a playground. Frisco is home to the Texas Sculpture Garden and the Frisco Water Park.
The RoughRiders play at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark, and there is an abundance of restaurants in the area.
As with so many other Dallas suburbs, the housing market in Frisco is also very competitive. The average price of a house is $639,000, which is up more than 14% since last year. The average sale price per square foot is $239, and homes receive an average of seven offers when they go on the market.
5. Coppell
Coppell is ranked by Niche as the number one suburb to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, getting high marks for the schools, housing, families, and for diversity. It also ranks relatively well in terms of safety and crime. Coppell is a suburban community but has a lot of parks, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Things to do include visiting Andy Brown Park East and Coppell Nature Park. The Coppell Farmers Market is popular, as is the Trinity River Kayak Company.
The median list price for homes in the area was just under $600,000 in August. The median listing home price per square foot is around $245. The market is still considered a seller’s market in Coppell, and more people are trying to buy than there are homes available, so it gets competitive.
6. University Park
University Park feels affluent and luxurious but is also still very suburban. The community is known for being safe with a low crime rate, and it’s welcoming for both families and young professionals. It’s also home to Southern Methodist University.
One of the biggest perks of life in University Park is its proximity to Uptown so that you can still easily enjoy everything Dallas has to offer.
The downside of University Park is the high cost of living.
7. Plano
Finally, Plano is a diverse community with a lot to offer. The population is large. It’s the biggest of any of the suburbs on this ranking. Plano has a lot of malls and parks, and because it’s a bigger suburb, there are a variety of housing options available.
Plano is known for its good job market and high quality of life. It’s often described as one of the happiest cities in the country.
The crime rate in Plano is significantly lower than the national average, and it’s often ranked as one of the safest cities in the nation.
The cost of living is more affordable than in Dallas and many other nearby suburbs.
