Comparing Real Estate in Highland Village, TX and Southlake, TX

If you're shopping in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs north of the city, Highland Village and Southlake will almost certainly end up on your list. When comparing the pros and cons of living in Highland Village to Southlake, you'll find both sit well outside the urban core, both offer easy reaches to major employment centers, and both attract buyers who want more space than you'll find closer in.

But they're not interchangeable. Southlake is in Tarrant County, built around high-end estates and a price point to match. Highland Village is in Denton County - lower median prices, and it comes with something Southlake can't offer: Lewisville Lake in your backyard. Which one makes sense for you comes down to budget, commute, and what kind of property you want to own.

Location and Highway Access

Southlake is about 9 to 10 miles from DFW International Airport, sitting right in Tarrant County with SH-114 (Northwest Parkway) running directly through it. That road connects to SH-121 near the airport via the DFW Connector project, so you have a clean route to other parts of the metroplex without much guesswork.

Highland Village is further north in Denton County - roughly 15 to 18 miles from the airport terminals. Residents there rely on SH-121 and I-35E for most of their driving. That extra distance north means more time on the road any time you're heading toward the center of the metroplex. Before you commit to either city, map your actual office location against both highway systems. The difference can matter more than you'd expect.

Driving to DFW Airport

From Southlake, DFW is a 9-to-10-mile drive. That typically runs 12 to 17 minutes, which is hard to beat if you travel frequently for work.

From Highland Village, you're looking at 15 to 18 miles. Taking SH-121 or TX-121 Business, expect roughly 23 to 29 minutes depending on traffic.

Commuting to Dallas and Fort Worth

Southlake to Downtown Dallas is about 26 miles, averaging 35 minutes. Fort Worth is a touch closer at 25 miles, with a typical drive time of 28 minutes.

Highland Village sits about 32 miles north of Downtown Dallas. In light traffic, you can make it in 35 to 50 minutes via I-35E. In rush hour? That number can push past 55 minutes. Not a dealbreaker for most buyers, but worth knowing before you sign anything.

Real Estate Markets and Property Costs

The median home sale price in Highland Village is currently around $588,610. Southlake's median generally runs between $1.2 million and $1.65 million - and if you're looking at new luxury construction within the Carroll Independent School District boundaries, you'll see listings around $3 million. These are not comparable markets in terms of what you'll spend.

What Southlake delivers at that price point is custom-built estates on larger lots. It's a market where the homes are large, the finishes are high, and the entry bar reflects both.

Highland Village is more accessible. Homes are selling in about 25 days, with sellers averaging 99.18% of their list price. The city is carrying roughly 2.3 months of housing supply right now, so buyers shouldn't assume they'll have room to lowball.

Home Prices and Property Taxes

Lower purchase price doesn't always mean a lower overall cost of ownership. In Highland Village, the city's total proposed tax rate for FY2026-27 is $0.528541 per $100 of valuation. Combining all taxing entities, the median effective property tax rate comes out to roughly 1.60% of a home's value.

In Southlake, the tax rate itself may be similar, but the higher assessed values mean your actual tax bill will be larger. You'll want to pull the specific Tarrant County and local school district rates for any Southlake property you're seriously considering - don't just assume.

Architectural Styles and Lot Sizes

Southlake's lot sizes vary by neighborhood. Timber Lake and Southlake Meadows run around 0.28 to 0.30 acres, while gated communities like Shady Oaks and Coventry Manor offer 0.55 to 0.75 acres. Newer homes routinely exceed 4,500 square feet.

Highland Village skews toward large brick homes in new traditional styles - four or more bedrooms, private pools, that kind of thing. The northeast side of the city has older stock from the 1960s and 1970s; newer developments are concentrated to the west. Some properties along Lewisville Lake include private boat docks, which is its own category entirely.

Local Amenities and Recreation

Both cities have a large outdoor retail center that anchors the local shopping and dining scene. Southlake Town Square functions as the city's actual downtown - retail, restaurants, and municipal buildings all in one open-air complex. It's a legitimate walkable hub, not just a strip mall with better landscaping.

The Shops at Highland Village serves a similar role for Denton County residents. National brands, local boutiques, restaurants - it keeps most everyday needs in-city so you're not constantly driving south.

Access to Lewisville Lake

This is the one thing Highland Village has that Southlake simply doesn't. The city borders Lewisville Lake directly, and some homes sit right on the water with private boat docks. If boating, fishing, or waterfront living is part of what you're looking for, Highland Village is where you look. That's not a feature Southlake can replicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference in home prices between Highland Village and Southlake?

Southlake runs higher. The median there is between $1.2 million and $1.65 million, with new luxury builds reaching $3 million. Highland Village's recent median sale price is around $588,610.

How do the commutes compare between Highland Village and Southlake?

Southlake is closer in. It's about 26 miles from Dallas, typically a 35-minute drive. Highland Village is about 32 miles from Dallas - 35 to 50 minutes on I-35E, or up to 55 minutes during rush hour.

What types of homes are available in Highland Village vs Southlake?

Highland Village offers new traditional brick homes, some older 1960s-era builds, and lakefront properties with boat docks. Southlake is primarily luxury custom homes and estates, with newer construction often exceeding 4,500 square feet on lots up to 0.75 acres.

How do the local amenities and shopping in Highland Village, TX compare to Southlake Town Square?

Both cities have large outdoor retail centers - Southlake Town Square for Southlake residents, The Shops at Highland Village for the Denton County side. Highland Village adds direct access to Lewisville Lake, which Southlake doesn't offer.

Are property taxes and HOA fees different between Highland Village, TX and Southlake?

It depends on the specific neighborhood, but overall tax bills will be higher in Southlake because the assessed values are higher. Highland Village carries a median effective property tax rate of roughly 1.60%, based on a proposed city rate of $0.528541 per $100 for FY2026-27.

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

Highland Village is moving fast. Homes are averaging 25 days on the market, inventory sits at 2.3 months, and sellers are getting about 99.18% of asking. Southlake operates at a different price point, but don't assume the luxury end is slow - well-priced estates still attract real competition.