Comparing the Highland Village, TX and Dallas Real Estate Markets
Buyers looking at both areas are choosing between walkable city districts and larger lots near Lewisville Lake. That choice comes down to commute tolerance, budget, and what kind of house you want to come home to. To make sense of either market, you need to look at the daily driving reality and what the local numbers say.
Geographic Layout and Commute Times
Highland Village sits in Denton County, right along the southern shores of Lewisville Lake. Dallas anchors the region to the south in Dallas County - the major employment and cultural hub for the whole area. Where these two places sit relative to each other shapes daily life for anyone commuting between them.
That 32-mile gap is the number that runs your schedule. Most drivers depend on one primary highway corridor to get between the suburban and urban centers.
Distance Between the Cities
Highland Village is roughly 32 miles northwest of Downtown Dallas, following a direct path south through the northern suburbs.
That physical separation gives you a genuine suburban environment while keeping major city infrastructure within reach. If you're working in central Dallas, plan for a real daily drive - 32 miles one way, five days a week, adds up fast.
Driving Route and Traffic Patterns
Commuters heading from Highland Village to Dallas are mostly on I-35E. In normal traffic, you're looking at about 35 to 50 minutes driveway to downtown.
Rush hour changes that math. Southbound on I-35E during morning peak hours, you can push past 55 minutes without much trouble. Build that into your morning routine before you fall in love with a house.
Comparing the Housing Markets
The median sale price in Highland Village is around $588,610. Homes are moving in an average of 25 days, sellers are getting about 99% of list price, and there are currently 48 available properties in the local inventory.
Dallas comes in lower, with a median sale price of approximately $448,703 as of August 2026. The two markets aren't just different in price - they're different in property type, inventory depth, and how quickly things move.
Suburbs of Denton County
Highland Village is built for buyers who want a traditional suburban layout - single-family houses, private yards, mature trees. Properties here tend to run larger in square footage than what you'd find closer to the city.
The market moves quickly. There have been 65 homes sold recently, and roughly a quarter of those closed above asking price. That's not a slow, patient market.
Urban Dallas Properties
Dallas gives you a much wider menu: high-rise condos, townhomes, historic single-family houses. Prices shift dramatically depending on which neighborhood you're in and how close you are to downtown.
That median of roughly $448,703 is doing a lot of averaging - it's blending entry-level condos with luxury estates. Buyers in the city center are generally trading square footage for walkable access to jobs and transit. That's the deal on the table.
Lot Sizes and Property Styles
Highland Village skews toward larger lots near Lewisville Lake. Private outdoor space is part of what you're buying - something urban condos simply don't offer.
Dallas runs denser. City buyers tend to prioritize proximity to transit and services over a backyard. Neither approach is wrong; they're just different lives.
Local Amenities and Recreation
Highland Village organizes its recreational life around Lewisville Lake and local green spaces. Dallas delivers large-scale entertainment districts and cultural institutions. Those two things are genuinely different day-to-day experiences, and buyers should think honestly about which one they'll use.
Access to Parks and Lewisville Lake
Highland Village residents have direct access to Lewisville Lake's shoreline, along with trail systems and outdoor spaces like Pilot Knoll Park. Camping, boating, hiking - that's all within the city limits.
The lakeside geography isn't just a selling point. It's the defining feature of the town's recreational life for anyone who wants it.
Retail and Entertainment Options
Shopping in Highland Village centers on The Shops at Highland Village - an open-air retail center with local dining, stores, and everyday services. It covers the basics well.
Dallas runs at a different scale entirely. Uptown, Deep Ellum, the Dallas Arts District, professional sports venues, museums, a dense restaurant scene - city residents have all of that immediately accessible. It's a different kind of daily life, and the right answer depends entirely on what you do with your free time.
Taxes and Daily Expenses
Dallas homeowners pay an effective property tax rate of roughly 1.66% of market value. That figure pulls together levies from the city, Dallas County, Dallas ISD, Parkland Hospital District, and Dallas College.
Highland Village homeowners are looking at an effective rate of around 1.60% to 1.71%. The city's municipal rate for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is set at $0.528541 per $100 of valuation. The gap between these two markets on taxes is real, but it's not dramatic.
Local Property Tax Rates
Texas property tax bills stack rates from multiple local entities. The nominal combined rate in Dallas runs around 2.22% to 2.24% before exemptions are applied.
In Highland Village, the municipal portion makes up about 28% of the total tax bill. The most useful thing you can do is calculate estimated monthly payments using the effective rates for each specific address you're considering - the nominal rates don't tell the full story.
Urban Versus Suburban Costs
Life in Highland Village means owning a vehicle. There's no way around it for daily errands and commuting, so fuel and potential toll costs belong in your monthly budget.
Dallas residents can sometimes offset transportation costs through public transit or walking, depending on the neighborhood. The tradeoff is that urban living tends to bring higher costs for dining, entertainment, and parking. It evens out differently for different people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commute time from Highland Village, TX to downtown Dallas?
The drive takes about 35 to 50 minutes in normal traffic conditions. During morning rush hour, southbound trips on I-35E can push commute times to 55 minutes or more.
How do home prices compare between Highland Village, TX and Dallas?
Highland Village homes are generally more expensive, with a recent median sale price around $588,610. The median sale price in Dallas is lower, sitting at approximately $448,703 as of August 2026.
What are the property tax differences between Highland Village, TX and Dallas?
The effective property tax rates are similar in both cities. Dallas homeowners pay an effective rate of roughly 1.66%, while Highland Village homeowners pay between 1.60% and 1.71%.
What are the biggest lifestyle changes to expect when moving from Dallas to Highland Village, TX?
Moving to Highland Village means trading dense urban entertainment districts for suburban spaces. Residents exchange walkable access to areas like Deep Ellum and the Dallas Arts District for proximity to Lewisville Lake and Pilot Knoll Park.
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