Highland Village, TX vs Irving: Comparing the 2026 Real Estate Markets

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex spans over 9,000 square miles, which means buyers have an enormous amount of ground to cover before they settle on a neighborhood. One of the more common crossroads I see buyers hit is the choice between Denton County and Dallas County - and that usually means comparing Highland Village, TX and Irving side by side. Buyers often weigh the pros and cons of living in Highland Village by looking directly at what Irving offers.

They're not trying to be the same city. Highland Village sits on the shores of Lewisville Lake with a population of roughly 16,000 residents. Irving is a large, diverse market sitting much closer to the urban core. The gap between them shows up in property types, median prices, and how long you'll spend in the car on a Tuesday morning. What follows is a straight comparison of both markets so you can figure out which one fits your life.

Home Prices and Housing Styles in Both Cities

The price gap between these two cities is real. The median sale price in Highland Village runs around $588,600. In Irving, the median ranges from $369,000 to $440,000 depending on the month and property type. Highland Village homes are also moving fast, averaging about 25 days on the market.

Price per square foot tells a similar story. Highland Village properties average around $222 to $268 per square foot. Irving buyers generally see $205 to $230 per square foot. The spread isn't dramatic, but it adds up quickly at the square footage these homes tend to carry.

Don't overlook the tax side of the equation. Highland Village sits in Denton County, where the median effective property tax rate is approximately 1.73%, with total rates typically falling between 1.66% and 1.99%. Irving is in Dallas County, where average tax bills run around $9,800 annually for homeowners.

Highland Village Property Types

If you've driven through Highland Village, you already know what the inventory looks like - expansive, traditional brick homes, four or more bedrooms, and a lot of mature landscaping. The northeast side of the city has older homes built in the 1960s and 1970s; the west side trends toward newer construction.

The average home size is approximately 3,305 square feet. Private pools and grand entryways are common, and lakefront lots often come with private boat docks. With roughly 48 available homes on the market at any given time, the city is small and the inventory skews almost entirely toward single-family properties. Condos and townhomes are a rare find here.

Irving Property Types

Irving is a different animal altogether. The southern part of the city has mid-century single-family homes, Las Colinas has high-rise condominiums, and buyers focused on master-planned living usually look at Valley Ranch. There are genuinely different products to consider depending on which part of Irving you're targeting.

The average living area in Irving is about 2,419 square feet on an average lot of 11,074 square feet. That mix of condos, townhomes, and single-family houses creates more entry points into the market - especially for buyers who don't need 3,300 square feet of house.

Highway Access and Commute Routes

Both cities put you within reasonable reach of DFW International Airport, which matters more than people expect when they're shopping. But the daily commute story is different for each, and I'd strongly encourage you to drive your actual route during actual rush hour before you write an offer.

Driving from Highland Village

Highland Village residents lean on I-35E for north-south travel toward Dallas or Denton. The northern location along the lake means you're covering more ground to reach the central business districts, and that extra distance gets felt most on I-35E during peak hours in both directions.

The trade-off for that commute is a less congested suburban environment and immediate lake access - which for the right buyer is a very fair trade.

Driving from Irving

Irving has Highway 114, Highway 183, and I-635 all running through or around it, which gives commuters real options. Downtown Dallas, Fort Worth, and most major Metroplex employment centers are all reachable without committing to a single highway.

Having multiple routes matters. If one highway backs up, you're not stuck - you can adjust. Buyers who need to be close to urban offices tend to find Irving's infrastructure more forgiving.

Local Recreation and Retail Centers

The daily lifestyle gap between these two cities is probably wider than the price gap. Highland Village is built around the lake and a quiet residential rhythm. Irving is built around commercial scale and urban energy. Neither is wrong - they're just genuinely different ways to spend a weekend.

Highland Village Amenities

The lake is the story in Highland Village. Boating, fishing, waterfront living - it's right there, and for homeowners on the water, that often means a private dock in the backyard.

For shopping and dining, The Shops at Highland Village is the anchor - a walkable retail hub that handles most of what residents need without requiring a trip into Dallas.

Irving Amenities

Las Colinas is the center of gravity for Irving's entertainment side. The Toyota Music Factory brings concerts, restaurants, and bars into one district and operates at a scale you won't find in Highland Village.

Rather than one central walkable hub, Irving spreads its commercial activity across multiple districts throughout the city. Buyers who want immediate access to large venues and varied dining have a lot more inventory to choose from here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes more expensive in Highland Village, TX or Irving?

Highland Village runs higher. The median sale price there is roughly $588,600, while Irving's median typically falls between $369,000 and $440,000. The inventory in Highland Village leans toward large single-family homes and lakefront properties, which pushes the median up.

What is the commute difference between Highland Village, TX and Irving?

Irving is closer to the center of things. Commuters there use Highway 114, Highway 183, and I-635 to reach downtown Dallas or Fort Worth. Highland Village residents primarily rely on I-35E, which means a longer drive south into the city centers. Both cities have solid access to DFW International Airport.

What types of properties are available in Highland Village, TX vs Irving?

Highland Village is mostly large, traditional brick single-family homes averaging around 3,300 square feet, with lake access and private pools common on many properties. Irving offers a broader mix - mid-century single-family houses, high-rise condos in Las Colinas, and master-planned communities in Valley Ranch.

How do property tax rates compare for homeowners in Highland Village, TX versus Irving?

Both carry real tax obligations. Highland Village is in Denton County, where total effective rates generally run from 1.66% to 1.99%. Irving is in Dallas County, where the average annual property tax bill is around $9,800. Your specific number will depend on where you buy and what you pay for it.

Which city offers better outdoor recreation and lake access, Highland Village or Irving?

Highland Village, without much debate. Lewisville Lake is right there - boating, fishing, and waterfront property are all accessible in ways they simply arent in Irving. Irving's recreational draw centers more on the Toyota Music Factory and the commercial districts of Las Colinas.

What is the biggest downside to choosing Highland Village, TX over a more central location like Irving?

The commute. Highland Village's northern position in Denton County means more time on I-35E to reach downtown Dallas than Irving residents spend on Highway 114 or 183. If you're in the office every day, that drive time compounds quickly - and it's worth testing before you commit.