From a small trading post along the Trinity River to the ninth-largest city in the U.S., Dallas is proof of the saying, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” The arrival of the railroads in 1872 and the discovery of oil in 1930 were major catalysts in the growth of the wider metropolitan area, now called the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which today is home to more than 8 million people. (Those "people" include former president George W. Bush, entrepreneur Mark Cuban and celebrities like Owen Wilson.) And while Dallas is the third most populous city in Texas, it takes top billing as the home of the country's biggest state fair (with 2.3 million visitors), the world’s tallest cowboy (the 55-foot Big Tex) and the world’s most popular NFL franchise, the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas is the headquarters of 11 Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments. “A big reason people come here is because employment is bringing them this way,” says Maribel Ramos, a Realtor with Century 21 Mike Bowman and host of the TV show “American Dream.” “There are a lot of companies that are moving here and bringing their people with them.” Recent and future transplants include health tech companies Psychemedics and Verily Life Sciences, which is owned by Google’s Alphabet. Major medical centers such as Parkland Health & Hospital System, Medical City Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center are some of the city’s largest employers.
Big Tex is a 55-foot-tall figure and marketing icon of the annual State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
Just outside Dallas city limits sits AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys football team.
Major medical centers, such as Parkland Health & Hospital System, are located in Dallas
Dallas is the headquarters of 11 Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T since 2008.
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A strong housing market in the city and suburbs
As Dallas has grown, suburbs like Frisco, Plano, and McKinney have boomed with new subdivisions, but homes within the city limits maintain their strong appeal. “The [Dallas] market is good, it’s healthy,” says Marcy Barkemeyer, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. In January 2025, the median home price in Dallas was around $450,000, slightly higher than the national median price of $420,000. Buyers can find modest ranch-style houses and cottages ranging from around $100,000 to $300,000 on the densely populated streets of south Dallas communities such as Wynnewood. The neighborhoods of north and east Dallas generally feature newer, larger and pricier homes. Eastern communities include Forest Hills and Buckner Terrace. North Dallas, in particular, has some of the city’s most affluent enclaves, including Highland Park, Lakewood and Preston Hollow. In these neighborhoods, homes start at around $2 million and can easily top $15 million.
In September 2024, the city council passed ForwardDallas 2.0, a long-term land use plan that aims to address housing demand and provide a framework for future development. Part of the plan allows for duplexes and townhouses in single-family neighborhoods, though not larger, multifamily housing. “It’s going to have some impact eventually,” says Adam Murphy, a real estate specialist at Dave Perry-Miller.
Dallas has some of the city’s most affluent enclaves, including Highland Park.
Dallas is home to a mix of architectural styles, including luxurious high-rise condos.
Large historic homes that were built in the early 20th century can be found in Old East Dallas.
Dallas feature farmhouse and Craftsman homes, some with driveways and two-car garages,
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410 parks and 180 miles of trails
The Dallas parks system includes 410 parks and over 20,000 acres of parkland. One of the most popular destinations is White Rock Lake in East Dallas, featuring a 1,000-acre lake for kayaking, boating, biking and sailing. "It's a huge draw for people all over the city to come and spend their weekends,” says Realtor Lee Lamont of Lamont Realty Group. Next to the lake is the Dallas Arboretum, which has several diverse gardens and has been named one of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms by MSN.
The parks system also operates over 180 miles of trails throughout the city, taking residents through urban neighborhoods or along the Trinity River, near Downtown Dallas. There are six golf courses that are part of the parks system, including Stevens Park Golf Course, one of the Top 100 courses in the state, according to the Dallas Morning News. Dallas is home to three more of the Top 10 courses on the list: Dallas National Golf Club, Preston Trail Golf Club and Brook Hollow Golf Club.
Every fall for three weeks, the Fair Park area in South Dallas comes alive with the arrival of the State Fair of Texas. Attractions include the Ferris wheel, live music, food and the Big Tex statue.
The Dallas Blooms festival has offered one of the most spectacular floral displays.
The Dallas parks system includes 410 parks and over 20,000 acres of parkland.
Dallas is home to three of the top 10 golf courses, perfect for avid players.
The Cotton Bowl is an iconic stadium in Dallas and the site of the State Fair of Texas.
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From upscale shopping at Highland Park to Dallas Cowboys football
Dallas residents head to Uptown, Preston Hollow and Highland Park for dining and shopping. In the downtown area, two smaller neighborhoods are hot spots for dining. Bishop Arts District is known for its eclectic and colorful shops and restaurants, including Lockhart Smokehouse BBQ, considered one of the best barbecue joints in Dallas. If there's one place that can rival Lockhart, it's Terry Black's Barbecue in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, just east of downtown. This lively historic district is also known for its bars, clubs and live music venues.
For upscale shopping, there’s Highland Park Village, an outdoor mall with Spanish-inspired architecture. It opened in 1931 and was the first planned shopping center in the country. Today, shoppers can browse stores like Peter Millar, Dior and Chanel. The primarily residential Preston Hollow neighborhood nearby has shopping and dining on its outskirts.
Downtown Dallas is home to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas Museum of Art. The Dallas Zoo, south of downtown, is one of the oldest zoos in the U.S. The AT&T Performing Arts Center hosts opera, dance and theater performances, while the Meyerson Symphony Center next door is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. For football and baseball, fans head 20 miles to Arlington to Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Bring the family for free access to the Dallas Museum of Arts in Downtown Dallas.
For upscale shopping, there's Highland Park Village, an open-air shopping center in Dallas.
Explore dinosaurs at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas.
Feed the giraffes while you visit the Dallas Zoo, just south of downtown Dallas.
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Public and private education options
The Dallas Independent School District serves more than 143,000 students and has an overall student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. The school district earns a B grade from Niche. Students can study career pathways that allow them to work with industry professionals, train on state-of-the-art equipment, and earn certifications in high school. The city is also home to well-regarded private schools such as St. Mark's School of Texas, the No. 2 all-boys high school in the country, according to Niche. The school has approximately 900 students and is known for its extracurricular activities, including 16 sports, 90 clubs and a nationally acclaimed newspaper.
There are several public colleges and universities in the metropolitan area, including the University of Texas at Dallas (UT-Dallas), located north of the city of Richardson. The university enrolls about 31,000 students and offers over 150 academic programs. UT-Dallas offers nationally ranked programs in STEM, management, liberal arts and social sciences, and the university's esports team is ranked in the Top 10 in the country.
Private universities include Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Dallas Baptist University. SMU is located in University Park and serves approximately 12,000 students across eight different schools; it’s ranked in the top 20% of national universities, according to the 2024 U.S. News and World Report. Dallas Baptist is a private Christian school serving over 4,000 students and offering 79 undergraduate majors. There are also several community colleges in the city, including Dallas College Mountain View Campus and Dallas College Richland Campus.
SMU is located outside Dallas, serves approximately 12,000 students and home to the Mustangs.
The University of Texas at Dallas is home to 31,000 students and offers 150 academic programs.
Dallas Baptist University offers undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs in Dallas.
Dallas is home to well-regarded private schools, like St. Mark's School of Texas.
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Traveling around North Texas
Dallas has been a transportation hub since the railroad came to town, and it still serves this vital role. Four interstates pass through the city, connecting residents to other major Texas cities. Interstate 45 connects Dallas to Houston to the southeast. I-35 leads south to Waco, Austin and San Antonio. I-20 and I-30 each connect Dallas to Arlington and Fort Worth to the west.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is 20 miles from downtown; it’s the third-busiest airport in the world and is the largest hub of American Airlines. The airport serves 68 international and 190 domestic destinations. It's a four-hour flight from Dallas to most major U.S. cities. Love Field, which offers domestic flights and is the hub for Southwest Airlines, is 6 miles northwest of downtown Dallas. Amtrak offers service on the Texas Eagle train from the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station downtown. Dallas Area Rapid Transit provides rail and bus systems in the Metroplex.
Crime rate continues to trend down
Dallas’ property and violent crime rates are significantly higher than state and national figures. In 2021, the Dallas Police Department announced a Violent Crime Reduction Plan. Since then, Dallas’ overall violent crime rate has declined year-over-year. According to data from the Dallas Police Department, homicides decreased by more than 25% in 2024. Property crime, however, remains elevated.
Extreme heat and tornado risk
Dallas is prone to extreme heat and humidity during the summer, with temperatures regularly in the 90s. More than half of the city’s buildings are at risk for wildfires, while less than a quarter are at risk for flooding. Dallas is also prone to tornados, but the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management has strategically placed outdoor emergency warning sirens throughout the area.
On average, homes in Dallas, TX sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Dallas, TX over the last 12 months is $459,250, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$469,000
Median Sale Price
$459,250
Median Single Family Sale Price
$515,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$496,750
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$338,750
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10,368
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$294
City Facts
Number of Homes
295,753
Number of Homes for Sale
4,228
Median Year Built
1962
Months of Supply
4.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,055
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,964
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,410
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
856
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
710
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Cost of Living Comparison
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Dallas, TX
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Mckamy Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Sheffield Elementary School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#3 Birdie Alexander Elementary School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#4 Gabe P. Allen New Tech Academy
C
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#5 Arcadia Park Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#6 Bayles Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#7 W.A. Blair Elementary School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#8 Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#9 James Bowie Elementary School
B
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Long Middle School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#2 Coppell Middle West
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
#3 W.H. Atwell Fundamental Academy
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#4 T.W. Browne Middle School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy
#6 E.B. Comstock Middle School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#7 Young Men's Leadership Academy
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#8 W High Gaston Middle School
C
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#9 W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 New Tech H.S. at B.F. Darrell H.S.
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Bryan Adams High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#3 W.H. Adamson High School
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#4 Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
#5 David W. Carter High School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#6 Booker T. Washington High for the Performing and Visual Arts
Daniel Young is a trusted real estate advisor with Keller Williams Realty Dallas Preston Road, serving buyers, sellers, and investors across North Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Allen, and McKinney. With over a decade of real estate experience and more than 20 years living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Daniel brings a powerful combination of local expertise, strategic insight, and a relationship-first approach that consistently delivers results.
Known for his servant-leadership mindset, Daniel approaches every client relationship with a single core focus—making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Whether helping a first-time buyer step into homeownership, guiding a family through a major move, or advising an investor on long-term strategy, he is committed to creating experiences that go beyond the transaction. His passion lies in helping clients build wealth through real estate, positioning them for long-term success and generational opportunities.
Daniel’s business is built almost entirely on referrals, reflecting the trust, care, and results he delivers. Clients value his ability to simplify complex transactions, communicate clearly, and negotiate with confidence while always protecting their best interests from contract to closing.
Beyond serving clients, Daniel is a respected leader within Keller Williams. As a multi-year member of the Associate Leadership Council (ALC), a KW University Certified Instructor, and former interim Team Leader, he has trained and mentored hundreds of agents and helped shape the success of one of the top-producing offices in the region. His leadership has earned him multiple honors, including the Rockstar Award, Impact Award, and Team Leader recognition.
What truly sets Daniel apart is the life experience and heart he brings into his work. He has been married for over 27 years to his incredible wife and best friend, and together they have raised three amazing children, two daughters and a son. Family is at the center of everything he does, and it drives his commitment to helping other families find stability, opportunity, and a place to call home.
Outside of real estate, Daniel is deeply creative and relationship-driven. He is a writer at heart who enjoys putting thoughts into words. He has a deep love of music and plays both guitar and piano, bringing creativity and discipline that carry over into his business. When he’s not working with clients, you’ll likely find him spending time with his loyal blue heeler, Addie, enjoying great Thai or Japanese food, and enjoying his coffee!
If given the opportunity, Daniel would head to Rio de Janeiro with his wife to see Christ the Redeemer or take his family on a global adventure to destinations such as Bangkok, Seoul, and Hong Kong, reflecting his appreciation for culture, connection, and shared experiences.
Daniel specializes in residential home sales, relocation, and investment opportunities, using data-driven pricing strategies, strategic marketing, and strong negotiation to help clients win in competitive markets. But more than anything, he is known for being a steady, trusted guide, someone who walks alongside his clients through every stage of life and helps them make smart, confident real estate decisions.
For Daniel, real estate is not just about buying or selling homes. It’s about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping people design a life and legacy they’re proud of.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
