10 Cities Near Dallas To Live In 2021
Dallas is the largest interior metropolitan area in the United States, which probably seems daunting if you are considering relocating. Luckily, there are plenty of great suburbs and nearby towns that allow you to take in all the Big D has to offer from a base camp further down.
Whatever your reason for having your view of the area, the following 10 cities near Dallas should be on your radar as well.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 20 km
- Average rent for a bedroom: $ 1,442 (down 1.9% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,763 (down 7.3% from last year)
With a population of just over 120,000, Richardson has a tight-knit community feel with big-city amenities.
The University of Texas at Dallas is in Richardson, and in the city there are very desirable public and private schools. It makes life here attractive for young families.
There are great municipal services and fun community programs, including farmer’s markets, festivals and events.
The leisure facilities are first-rate and include gymnasiums, aquatic centers, more than 35 parks, playgrounds and nature reserves.
Richardson’s location is perfect – it’s bordered by Dallas and Plano, and also provides access to four different Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) stations, which can get you to downtown Dallas in 20 minutes.
Source: Apartment Guide / Luxury at Mercer Crossing
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 14.1 miles
- Average rent for a bedroom: $ 1,343 (down 0.5% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,993 (up 7.2% from last year)
Farmers Branch is one of the fastest growing cities near Dallas and a great place to live. Over 4,000 businesses and over 250 corporate headquarters are located in Farmers Branch, making it The third largest business center in Texas.
Its dining and entertainment scene has fully blossomed, and the area is now in high demand with families, in particular. The neighborhoods are safe and the schools are excellent, while the recreational facilities are state-of-the-art.
Farmers Branch is known as “The City in the Park” because it is so green with over 30 award-winning parks, a community garden, rose gardens, walking trails and a 104-acre nature reserve.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 23 km
- Average rent for a bedroom: $ 1,533 (down 13.4% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 2,181 (down 17.1% from last year)
If you’re looking for a cool city near Dallas to work and live in, Addison fits the bill.
Many perks include free membership in the Addison Athletic Club, a front row seat at the famous fireworks display called Kaboom Town, and easy access to the plethora of shopping and dining options.
There are over 180 restaurants within the 4.4 square miles that make up Addison, ranging from fine dining to family-style establishments.
Addison is a small town in terms of the numbers, but it doesn’t feel far from the action. It is just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas with easy access from the toll highway.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 18.3 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,764 (up 12.8% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 2,372 (up 12.5% from last year)
Plano is a popular city to live near Dallas. It’s just a short drive north of downtown Dallas and home to big companies like JC Penney Company, Frito-Lay, and Toyota, to name a few.
Plano is a great place to live and work. It takes on a life of its own with a small town vibe, even though it’s anything but small. Plano stands out for its charming historic downtown with trendy shops and restaurants, excellent schools and a strong sense of community.
There is also no shortage of recreational activities in this city with more than 70 parks to explore, including hiking and biking trails.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 18.6 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,312 (up 4.4% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,660 (up 4.7% from last year)
A treasured gem tucked away in the Dallas metro area is Carrollton. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with the best schools, safe neighborhoods and numerous leisure parks.
In this city, slightly northwest of downtown Dallas, you will find beautiful spacious homes suitable for a relaxed lifestyle. Carrollton’s real estate is among the most expensive in Texas, but it turns out its value is appreciating faster than neighboring towns.
The pristine Indian Creek Golf Club, a 36-hole golf course, is located in Carrollton. You can also find many hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds dotted around town.
Plus, there are over 250 restaurants in Carrollton – so much variety your taste buds will thank you.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 22.2 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,419 (down 3.3% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,966 (down 3.5% from last year)
The town of Grapevine is located between Dallas and Fort Worth. Home to DFW International Airport, the third largest airport in the world, this city offers unparalleled accessibility.
Living in Grapevine offers major amenities with a suburban feel. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, wineries, art galleries, jewelry stores, and more in the popular historic Main Street district.
Beautiful Grapevine Lake offers 8,000 acres for outdoor recreation like fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, boating and hiking, making it an exciting place to live.
As Grapevine’s name might suggest, you’ll find plenty of wineries linked by the town’s Urban Wine Trail. There is even an annual multi-day wine festival called GrapeFest.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 23.4 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,472 (down 5.3% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,750 (down 1% from last year)
Rockwall is one of DFW’s best kept secrets. The city has a lot to offer its residents, which makes it an attractive place to live near Dallas. Rockwall Parks and Recreation offers year-round events and courses for kids, as well as summer music events and movie nights in the park.
It’s a great city to raise a family and combine work and play. There are a few large employers in Rockwall, including many manufacturing companies and the Texas Health Hospital Rockwall, which employs over 600 people.
One of the largest lakes in North Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard, is located in Rockwall and is great for fishing, skiing, and boating. Overall, Rockwall is a fun and relaxing place to live.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 24.2 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,330 (up 1% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,648 (down 3.7% from last year)
Allen is a booming suburb and a great place to live near Dallas. It is known for its upscale shopping, great attractions, safe neighborhoods, and top-notch school system.
Some of the best shopping destinations in Allen are Allen Premium Outlets, which has over 120 designer and brand name stores, and Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms, a quaint, resort-style mall and entertainment destination.
Another advantage of living in Allen is the number of leisure activities. You can head to the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium, which offers an indoor water park, competition pool, and rock climbing wall, or try wakeboarding at Hydrous at Allen Station. Meanwhile, skaters can enjoy the Edge at Allen Station Skate Park, the largest outdoor skatepark in Texas.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 26.4 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,624 (up 17.3% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 2,269 (up 22.1% from last year)
Frisco has so much to offer – in 2018, Money magazine ranked it # 1 in “Best places to live in America” listing. The city has seen extreme growth over the past two decades and is a great place to raise a family.
Frisco is safer than the surrounding areas, with a crime rate of 86 in 2019, which is 3.1 times lower than the US average. Families also appreciate the excellent educational opportunities. The school district is known for its academic excellence and innovative programs.
Frisco is also fast becoming the epicenter of football fans, as it is the site of the 91-acre Dallas Cowboys campus, known as The Star.
- Distance from downtown Dallas: 30.8 miles
- Average rent for a room: $ 1,277 (down 4.7% from last year)
- Average rent for two bedrooms: $ 1,704 (up 1.5% from last year)
McKinney is a great option if you’re looking to live near Dallas but fancy a slower-paced feel.
This mix of big city and small town culture is one of the many reasons young professionals and growing households are moving to the area. The historic downtown plaza attracts visitors from all over with its unique local boutiques, gift shops, art exhibitions, restaurants and cafes.
There are a few breweries in McKinney that add to the life of the city. There is also a plethora of scenic parks and the 13 km Erwin Park hiking and biking trail for residents.
Make one of these towns near Dallas your next home
If you’re looking for the amenities of a metropolis but prefer a more laid-back vibe, you’re bound to find them in these 10 great cities near Dallas. No matter where you decide to hang your hat, there are some things you should know before living near the Big D.
Get the 411 on Living in Dallas and start planning your move today.
Rental prices are based on a moving weighted average of Apartment Guide and Rent.com’s multi-family rental property inventory taken as of April 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each type. unit and reduces the influence of seasonality on rental prices in specific markets.
The rental information included in this article is used for illustration purposes only. The data contained in this document does not constitute financial advice or a price guarantee for any apartment.
