Highland Village, TX vs Fort Worth: Comparing Denton and Tarrant County Real Estate

Buyers looking at North Texas often end up weighing the pros and cons of Highland Village in Denton County against Fort Worth in Tarrant County - and they're not interchangeable options. Highland Village sits near Lewisville Lake with a smaller-town feel and direct water access. Fort Worth is a major city with the density, infrastructure, and economic footprint that comes with that scale.

The choice comes down to what kind of daily life you want. The drive between the two covers roughly 36 to 40 miles, so these are distinct markets, not close neighbors. They also differ meaningfully on home prices, property tax bills, and how you'll get around.

Comparing the Housing Markets and Home Prices

The price gap here is real. The median sale price in Highland Village recently sat around $588,610. Fort Worth's median sale price came in at approximately $337,798 over the three months ending in May 2026 - a difference of roughly $250,000.

Highland Village currently has about 48 homes on the market, which works out to around 2.3 months of supply. Homes are selling in an average of 25 days, and sellers are getting about 99% of their list price. Lakefront or larger single-family properties can push closer to $900,000.

Fort Worth operates at a completely different scale - broader inventory, wider price variation depending on the specific neighborhood. Zillow's average home value estimate for Fort Worth hovered around $298,353 in July 2026. If you need more choices or a lower entry point, Fort Worth will give you both.

What to Expect from Highland Village Properties

Highland Village is mostly single-family homes, a lot of them oriented toward the proximity to Lewisville Lake. Buyers drawn here tend to want larger lots and established suburban streets.

Because the town is smaller and bordered by water, new construction is uncommon. You're mostly buying existing homes - some with private pools, some with direct waterway access.

What to Expect from Fort Worth Properties

Fort Worth runs the full spectrum: historic homes near the city center, master-planned communities on the outskirts, high-density urban options, and everything in between. Builder communities are scattered throughout the area if new construction is on your list.

That variety also means Fort Worth can accommodate a wider range of budgets than Highland Village, where the price points are relatively concentrated.

Property Taxes and Everyday Living Costs

The effective tax rates are close, but the bills aren't. Tarrant County - Fort Worth's county - has an effective property tax rate of about 1.47%. Denton County, where Highland Village sits, comes in just slightly lower at approximately 1.43%.

That difference sounds small until you factor in home values. In Denton County, a median home value of $473,500 generates a median annual tax bill of around $6,790. In Tarrant County, a median home value of $351,900 produces a median bill of about $5,162. Higher-priced home, higher dollar amount - even at a slightly lower rate.

Beyond housing, the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex shares a lot of the same utility providers and grocery chains, so day-to-day costs are fairly comparable. Transportation is the wild card, and it comes down to where you're commuting.

Commuting and Highway Access

The drive from central Highland Village to Downtown Fort Worth runs 40 to 55 minutes under typical conditions, covering roughly 36 to 40 miles depending on your specific start and end points. Most drivers take I-35W South. That corridor passes several significant employers - American Airlines headquarters, Lockheed Martin, and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB).

Both cities have reasonable access to DFW International Airport. Fort Worth residents have more public transit options within the city itself. Highland Village runs almost entirely on personal vehicles - there's no meaningful alternative for daily transportation.

Driving Through Denton County

FM 407 is the primary east-west corridor for Highland Village residents, connecting directly to Interstate 35E for trips north toward Denton or south toward Dallas. State Highway 121 gives you another option for moving across the northern suburbs.

Do yourself a favor and test these routes at rush hour before you commit to a neighborhood. Traffic patterns in this part of the county can shift the drive considerably.

The Drive to Downtown Fort Worth

From Highland Village, you'll eventually land on I-35W heading south. It's a primary freight and commuter route for the western half of the metroplex, so travel times move with the time of day.

Once you're in Fort Worth, the city has a dense highway grid - I-30 and I-20 make it relatively straightforward to get around. But that roughly 50-minute one-way trip from Highland Village is something you'll want to build into your budget and your daily schedule before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the commute like from Highland Village, TX to Fort Worth?

Expect a 40 to 55-minute drive covering about 36 to 40 miles. Most drivers take FM 407 to connect to major highways and then head south on I-35W. That route passes major employers including Lockheed Martin and American Airlines.

How do home prices compare in Highland Village, TX vs Fort Worth?

Highland Village runs higher - recent median sale prices came in around $588,610. Fort Worth's median sale price sat closer to $337,798. If inventory range and lower entry points matter to you, Fort Worth has more of both.

What are the property tax differences between Highland Village, TX and Fort Worth?

Denton County (Highland Village) has an effective rate of about 1.43%; Tarrant County (Fort Worth) sits at roughly 1.47%. The rates are close, but because Highland Village home values are higher, the actual annual tax bill tends to be larger there.

What are the biggest downsides to choosing Highland Village over the Fort Worth area?

The commute is the main one if your job is in downtown Fort Worth or at one of the western metroplex employers. On top of that, Highland Village's higher median price and thinner inventory make it harder for buyers working with a tighter budget.

Which housing market is more competitive for buyers right now, Highland Village or Fort Worth?

Highland Village is tight - about 48 available homes, 2.3 months of supply, a 25-day average time on market, and sellers landing roughly 99% of asking price. Fort Worth carries more total inventory, though individual neighborhoods can still move fast.