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If you are looking outside Dallas or Fort Worth for a smaller-city feel, a new WalletHub study gives you 15 North Texas communities to put on your radar.
WalletHub compared 1,318 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000, scoring them across 45 metrics covering affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Cities were then grouped by percentile, with the 99th percentile representing the highest-performing group. WalletHub
Dallas-Fort Worth showed up all over the results.
Allen led the DFW communities in the 96th percentile nationally, followed by Flower Mound in the 91st percentile. Little Elm, Rockwall, The Colony, Colleyville, Southlake, Coppell, Mansfield, Keller, Burleson, Grapevine, Cleburne, Wylie, and Sachse also appeared in the top half. CultureMap Dallas
That does not mean one of these cities is automatically the right place for you.
It does mean DFW buyers have a surprisingly deep list of suburban and smaller-city options to compare.
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What Did WalletHub Measure?
WalletHub did not create a real estate ranking specifically for home buyers.
Instead, the study looked broadly at what may contribute to life in a smaller city. Its 45 metrics fell into these 5 categories:
- Affordability
- Economic health
- Education and health
- Quality of life
- Safety
The study included cities with populations from 25,000 to 100,000 and evaluated the city proper rather than the entire surrounding metro. WalletHub
That distinction matters.
A high percentile does not tell you the property taxes on a specific house, whether that address has an HOA or PID, how long your commute will be, which school a property is assigned to, or what your homeowners insurance will cost.
For real estate, you still have to bring the ranking down to the address level.
Which DFW Suburbs Made the 2026 List?
Here are the 15 Dallas-Fort Worth communities highlighted by CultureMap Dallas from WalletHub’s study. CultureMap Dallas
| DFW Community | WalletHub Percentile |
|---|---|
| Allen | 96th |
| Flower Mound | 91st |
| Little Elm | 87th |
| Rockwall | 86th |
| The Colony | 86th |
| Colleyville | 85th |
| Southlake | 82nd |
| Sachse | 77th |
| Coppell | 76th |
| Mansfield | 74th |
| Keller | 72nd |
| Burleson | 63rd |
| Grapevine | 61st |
| Cleburne | 56th |
| Wylie | 56th |
One important detail: no Texas community reached WalletHub’s 99th percentile in this study. Nationally, 19 cities reached that level. CultureMap Dallas
Allen Leads DFW Again
Allen landed in the 96th percentile, making it the highest-positioned DFW community in the study for the third consecutive year, according to CultureMap. CultureMap Dallas
For buyers, Allen sits in a very different part of the Metroplex than several of the other cities on this list. Its Collin County location can make it worth considering for people who want access to the North Dallas employment corridor while still living outside Dallas proper.
The ranking alone should not drive the decision, though.
Before choosing a home, compare the actual property tax rate, HOA, homeowners insurance estimate, school attendance boundary, commute, and monthly payment for the specific address.
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Flower Mound Follows in the 91st Percentile
Flower Mound reached the 91st percentile, giving DFW 2 communities above the 90th-percentile mark. CultureMap Dallas
Its location between the Dallas and Fort Worth sides of the Metroplex can be useful for households that need access to multiple employment areas or DFW International Airport.
However, buyers should compare neighborhoods individually. Larger lots, established subdivisions, newer construction, HOA structures, and tax rates can vary considerably across North Texas.
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Little Elm, Rockwall, and The Colony Land in the Upper 80s
Little Elm reached the 87th percentile, while Rockwall and The Colony both landed in the 86th percentile. CultureMap Dallas
These three locations illustrate why there is no single definition of a DFW suburb.
Little Elm gives buyers a Denton County location near Frisco and the Lake Lewisville corridor.
Rockwall sits east of Dallas near Lake Ray Hubbard.
The Colony sits along the North Dallas growth corridor near Frisco, Plano, and Lewisville.
The ranking puts them close together. Their geography does not.
That is why relocation decisions should start with where you need to be on a normal Tuesday, not just where a city appears on a national list.
👉 Search Homes in Little Elm, Rockwall, The Colony and Nearby Communities
Colleyville and Southlake Remain Notable Mid-Cities Options
Colleyville ranked in the 85th percentile, while Southlake came in at the 82nd percentile. CultureMap Dallas
Both sit in the area between Dallas and Fort Worth, which can make them relevant for buyers balancing access to both sides of the Metroplex.
WalletHub also reported that Colleyville and Southlake ranked among the highest U.S. small cities for homeownership rate. WalletHub
That is an interesting data point, but it still does not tell you what a particular home will cost each month.
Property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, purchase price, interest rate, and down payment can easily create very different monthly payments between 2 nearby properties.
👉 Search Homes in Colleyville, Southlake and Nearby Communities
Sachse, Coppell, Mansfield, and Keller Give Buyers More Geographic Choices
The next group stretches across several completely different parts of DFW:
- Sachse: 77th percentile
- Coppell: 76th percentile
- Mansfield: 74th percentile
- Keller: 72nd percentile CultureMap Dallas
This is where the list becomes especially useful for relocation buyers.
Someone working near Las Colinas or DFW Airport may look at Coppell.
A buyer trying to stay between Dallas and Fort Worth may compare Mansfield.
Someone focused on the Fort Worth side may consider Keller.
Sachse can make more sense for someone who needs the northeast side of Dallas.
Same study. Very different daily life.
👉 Search Homes in Sachse, Coppell, Mansfield, Keller and Nearby Communities
Burleson, Grapevine, Cleburne, and Wylie Also Made the Top Half
WalletHub placed:
- Burleson: 63rd percentile
- Grapevine: 61st percentile
- Cleburne: 56th percentile
- Wylie: 56th percentile CultureMap Dallas
The fact that these areas appear on the same list is another reminder that Metroplex buyers should not think about DFW as one market.
Cleburne sits much farther south than Wylie.
Grapevine puts you close to DFW Airport.
Burleson is tied much more closely to the Fort Worth side.
Wylie serves buyers looking toward northeastern Collin County.
Your job location, budget, desired lot size, preferred home age, taxes, and new-construction options may matter more than the difference between the 56th and 61st percentile.
👉 Search Homes in Burleson, Grapevine, Cleburne, Wylie and Nearby Communities
What Buyers Should Actually Take From This Ranking
A ranking like this is useful for discovery.
It is not a substitute for due diligence.
If you are moving to DFW, I would use the WalletHub list to create a shortlist of places worth researching, then compare the factors that directly affect your life and your payment.
1. Start With Location
DFW is enormous.
A home that looks affordable can become a bad fit if your daily drive puts you on the wrong side of the Metroplex.
Before comparing houses, identify where you need to commute and how frequently.
2. Compare the Full Monthly Payment
Purchase price is only one piece.
Depending on the property, your monthly housing cost can include:
- Principal and interest
- Property taxes
- Homeowners insurance
- Mortgage insurance
- HOA dues
- PID or MUD-related assessments where applicable
That is especially important when comparing established communities with newer subdivisions.
📘 Download the Texas Home Buyer’s Guide
3. Verify School Information Directly
WalletHub includes education within its methodology, but that is not the same thing as telling you which campus serves a particular property.
School boundaries can change.
Use the school district’s official boundary tools for the specific address and research the programs that matter to your household.
Our guide to the top high schools in Dallas and Houston also explains an important distinction between zoned schools and application-based schools.
4. Look Beyond the Ranking
A percentile cannot tell you whether you prefer:
- A newer home or an established neighborhood
- A larger lot or lower-maintenance property
- Walkable entertainment or quieter residential streets
- Access to lakes and trails
- New construction or resale
- A shorter commute or more house for the money
This is where my Price. Location. Build Type. framework comes in.
Most buyers are effectively prioritizing 2 of the 3.
Location + new construction may cost more.
Price + new construction may require moving farther out.
Price + location may mean considering resale instead of a brand-new house.
None of those choices is automatically right or wrong.
Is Allen the “Best” DFW Suburb?
WalletHub placed Allen highest among the DFW communities highlighted in this particular study, at the 96th percentile nationally. CultureMap Dallas
That does not make Allen automatically better for every home buyer.
A buyer working in downtown Fort Worth may find Mansfield or Keller more practical.
Someone who travels frequently may prioritize Coppell or Grapevine.
A buyer wanting east-side access may look toward Rockwall.
Another may prioritize Little Elm, The Colony, Sachse, Wylie, or a completely different DFW community that is not on this list.
The ranking gives you context.
Your budget, commute, property, taxes, lifestyle, and long-term plans give you the strategy.
That is the part that matters when you actually buy.
Thinking About Moving to One of These DFW Suburbs?
If you are relocating to Dallas-Fort Worth, I can help you compare these communities at the property level instead of relying on a national ranking.
We can look at:
- Current homes for sale
- New construction versus resale
- Property-specific tax rates
- HOA, PID, or other community costs
- Estimated monthly payment
- Location and commute tradeoffs
- School district boundary resources
- Builder options
- Negotiation opportunities
We help clients understand the home, the numbers, the market, and the deal.
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📘 Download the Texas Home Buyer’s Guide
📅 Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Dallas: 469-336-3027
Houston: 281-738-4446
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best small cities in DFW for 2026?
WalletHub’s study placed Allen in the 96th percentile and Flower Mound in the 91st percentile. Little Elm, Rockwall, The Colony, Colleyville, Southlake, Sachse, Coppell, Mansfield, Keller, Burleson, Grapevine, Cleburne, and Wylie also landed in the top half nationally. CultureMap Dallas
What was the highest-ranked DFW small city?
Among the Dallas-Fort Worth communities highlighted by CultureMap, Allen ranked highest at the 96th percentile. CultureMap reported that it was the third consecutive year Allen led the DFW group. CultureMap Dallas
How does WalletHub rank small cities?
WalletHub compared 1,318 cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 across 45 metrics grouped into affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. WalletHub
Did any Texas city reach the 99th percentile?
No. CultureMap reported that none of the Texas communities in the study reached WalletHub’s 99th percentile. CultureMap Dallas
Does a higher WalletHub percentile mean homes are cheaper?
No. The overall ranking combines multiple measures. Buyers should separately compare purchase price, taxes, insurance, HOA costs, financing, and the specific property.
Is Allen better than Flower Mound for buying a home?
The study places Allen higher overall, but that does not establish which city is the right real estate choice for an individual buyer. Location, housing costs, commute, home type, taxes, and personal priorities can lead to a different decision.
Which DFW small cities are close to DFW Airport?
Coppell, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Southlake, and Colleyville are among the communities on this list located around the broader airport and Mid-Cities area. Buyers should check the actual route from a property because travel times vary significantly across DFW.
Should I use rankings when deciding where to buy?
Use them as one research source, not the decision itself. Verify property-specific taxes, school boundaries, insurance, HOA information, commuting needs, and neighborhood characteristics before making an offer.
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