Cities Near Dallas: Which Ones Are the Best?

You may know the city of Dallas for its strong job market, cultural and entertainment scenes, and professional sports — just to name a few standout perks. Some of the major companies that have their operations in the Dallas area include American Airlines and AT&T. The city's arts district is home to the largest urban arts organization in the nation. And professional teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks provide fans with plenty of entertainment. But when you decide to move to one of the best cities near Dallas rather than directly in the city, you can enjoy all of these amenities and more!

10 Best Cities Near Dallas

Living directly in a big city like Dallas can be a fun experience, but sometimes opting to move to a nearby city can provide additional perks — like more space for less money. And the desirable cities surrounding the Dallas area are plentiful. Want some help narrowing down the options? Here are our picks for the top 10 cities near Dallas, TX.

Major businesses, including some tech giants, call Richardson home.

1. Richardson, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1750
• Average home value: $458,800
• Great for: Families, young professionals, dining, shopping, job opportunities, outdoor recreation
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 35-minute drive

Located in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, Richardson offers a blend of urban and suburban charm. With a population of more than 100,000, this city is known for its high-tech industry — consisting of tech giants like Celestica — and diverse community.

Over 30 parks are located in Richardson, and residents have plenty of opportunities to enjoy their outdoor activities. One of the city's most popular natural areas is the Spring Creek Nature Area, where the whole family can engage in fun activities like bird watching!

And the food scene in Richardson is diverse with several local establishments and international dishes. The city also has several shopping centers and boutiques that are popular among all the Richardson shopaholics.

2. Irving, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1500
• Average home value: $353,200
• Great for: Families, diverse cuisines, job opportunities, cultural attractions
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 25-minute drive

Located less than 30 minutes from Dallas, Irving is a dynamic and large city with a population of close to 250,000. Irving offers an ideal mix of suburban comfort and urban amenities and is known for its strong economy and diverse community.

The restaurants in Irving reflect the diversity of its residents, including a variety of Indian and Mexican food options for residents to enjoy. Our Place Indian Cuisine, for example, is a must-try!

Some of the major companies headquartered in Irving include Fluor and Kimberly-Clark, contributing to the area's robust job market full of opportunities.

And the cultural attractions of Irving provide residents with a wide range of events and activities. The Irving Arts Center, for instance, is a popular spot in the area that features exhibitions and performances year-round.

3. Denton, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1225
• Average home value: $368,600
• Great for: Young professionals, culture, music, entertainment, NASCAR racing
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 60-minute drive

Texas' Denton is a great place to live if you are looking for the excitement of a big city with a small-town feel and a special flair. Situated about an hour away from Dallas, the city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, two universities, and music venues.

If you're a music lover, you'll want to live here, because it has plenty of free and cheap concerts. And besides having prominent artists such as Don Henley and Roy Orbison as alumni, the university of North Texas also has a world-class performing arts center, known as the Murchison.

A fun fact about Denton is that the community is also known for its passionate fans of NASCAR. The Texas Motor Speedway is only a few miles away from the town and hosts races each year.

4. Arlington, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1350
• Average home value: $322,100
• Great for: Families, young professionals, entertainment, outdoor recreation
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 30-minute drive

Located between Fort Worth and Dallas, the city of Arlington is just 30 minutes away from Downtown Dallas and offers the most perfect blend of urban and suburban living. The city is home to some prominent landmarks such as the AT&T Stadium and Six Flags Over Texas, and there is always something entertaining to do as a resident here.

The region also has several educational institutions such as the University of Texas Arlington, which has a diverse student body and is known for its distinguished research programs. Arlington has plenty of outdoor recreation areas and parks, as well, that allow residents to stay active. One of the most popular spots in the city is the River Legacy Park, which features over 1,000 acres of picnic areas, wildlife viewing areas, and trails.

Plano, Texas is a great city near Dallas to call home, with plenty of scenic parks, places to live, and events to keep you entertained.

5. Plano, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1725
• Average home value: $528,700
• Great for: Families, young professionals, local festivities, outdoor recreation
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 45-minute drive

The city of Plano, Texas, currently has a population of closer to 300,000 people and is another one of the largest cities to settle down near Dallas. It’s also considered one of the best places to live in the state!

There are many events and festivals happening in the city of Plano, and they are a great way to meet your neighbors. You can enjoy a variety of activities such as music, food, and cultural events, and the local farmers market, hosted by Four Season Markets, is also held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the city.

In addition to being a great place to live, the city of Plano also has a variety of parks and nature preserves that are great for people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city living. One of these is the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, which features over 200 acres of land and several miles of hiking and bike trails.

Tyler is about two hours away from Dallas, making it good for day trips or from the city, with a healthy culture all its own.

6. Tyler, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $950
• Average home value: $257,200
• Great for: Families, young professionals, affordability, arts, history, comfort food
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 1 hour & 45-minute drive

Willing to drive a little farther? Situated approximately two hours away from Dallas, the east Texas city of Tyler is best known for its welcoming atmosphere and affordable homes. The city's vibrant arts scene also draws in many visitors from outside the area. And as a certified music-friendly community, Tyler is dedicated to supporting the growth of the music industry.

The city's museums provide a deeper understanding of its past, and residents can learn about the Cotton Belt Railroad's history through various artifacts at the Cotton Belt Depot Museum. The Tyler Museum of Art is also a great place to visit for the art enthusiasts, and it’s known for its wide range of art activities and exhibitions.

Love homestyle comfort food? Then you’ll love Cotton Patch Cafe, which includes famous dishes like chicken tenders and fried green tomatoes.

7. Argyle, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1450
• Average home value: $623,000
• Great for: Families, retirees, fun attractions, golfing
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 60-minute drive

Located in Denton County, the Argyle is one of the small cities near Dallas, TX, and one of the best places to live around an hour away from the metropolitan area. Its development started during the 1800s when settlers arrived, and it officially became incorporated in the 1960s.

There are plenty of activities and attractions in the Argyle area, such as the Old Alton Bridge, a historic iron truss bridge that has been the site of several ghost stories.

Retirees, in particular, who live in the area around the town of Argyle enjoy playing golf at various private and public courses, and some of the most popular courses in the area include the Tour 18 (a course that simulates famous holes from various golf courses) and the Denton Country Club. Some of the area's best neighborhoods also have challenging courses, such as the Lantana and the Bridlewood Clubs.

8. Forney, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1700
• Average home value: $333,000
• Great for: Families, young professionals, shopping, museums, dining
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 30-minute drive

The town of Forney, Texas, is one of the best towns near Dallas, TX, and it’s known for its "Antique Row" — a street full of vintage and antique shops. During the 1980s, the area had a small population of 5,000 with close to 100 antique shops, which is the reason why the town was referred to as the "Antique Capital of Texas."

Forney residents can visit some of the area's well-known museums, as well, such as the Spellman Museum of Forney History. There are also various other cultural and performing arts spaces in the area, such as the Spellman Amphitheater. And when it comes to restaurants and other eateries, there’s a variety of unique establishments in Forney that appeal to different tastes. Some of these include the Rio Lerma Mexican Restaurant and Los Hermanos Restaurant.

9. Talty, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1700
• Median home sale price: $610,000
• Great for: Families, young professionals, shopping, local events
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 30-minute drive

Talty is another one of the best towns near Dallas, TX, that features a blend of natural beauty and close-knit community living — not to mention it’s just a 30-minute drive away from the big city. Talty offers the benefits of both the city's buzz right nearby and the beautiful serenity of rural life.

Due to its proximity to Interstate 20 and the city of Dallas, Talty is an ideal choice for individuals who want to live in a tranquil and scenic area while still working in the city. It's also close to various entertainment and dining establishments in the neighboring town of Forney, including the Shoppes at Forney Crossing and City Plaza Forney. More attractions are also available in the neighboring community of Terrell, including the historic downtown area, which includes unique stores and beautiful murals. You can also bring the family to plenty of special events, including Happy Days in Terrell America. 

Frisco has plenty to offer its students and residents alike, from the University of North Texas to training camp for the Dallas Cowboys.

10. Frisco, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1825
• Average home value: $687,700
• Great for: Families, young professionals, sports, outdoor recreation, arts
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 35-minute drive

The city of Frisco is located in the Fort Worth area, and it’s one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. As the training-camp home to the Dallas Cowboys, it adds a dash of excitement to the town.

The city of Frisco also has over 1,600 acres of park land and over 90 miles of hiking trails. This area has plenty of outdoor activities for everyone, and residents are quite passionate about enjoying the outdoors. Some of the best parks local to Frisco include the Frisco Water Park and the Harold Bacchus Community Park.

Aspiring artist? The Cultural Affairs Division of the city is dedicated to showcasing the work of local and national artists. Various art exhibitions can be found in the city's public spaces and museums, such as the Discovery Center and the Frisco Heritage Center.

11. Grapevine, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1825
• Average home value: $687,700
• Great for: Families, young professionals, sports, outdoor recreation, arts
• Commute to Downtown Dallas: 35-minute drive

Known for its flourishing grapes and being the “Christmas Capital of America,” you can’t go wrong when you choose to settle down in Grapevine. Most ideal for families, there is always a fun activity to embark on in the area, including splashing it up at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park. The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is another fun place that’s quite popular with the kids. 

And the food scene in Grapevine? You can find some of the most delicious eateries here that you won’t find in other cities in the Dallas area! You can’t go wrong with a classic Tex-Mex experience at Esparza’s Restorante Mexicano, for example, which offers excellent food and margaritas with a gorgeous setting. And seafood lovers won’t be disappointed when they visit Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, which serves up some scrumptious Cajun seafood meals.

PODS has the know-how to move you to one of the best cities near Dallas.

Move to One of the Best Cities Near Dallas With the Help of PODS

If you’re planning on relocating to a city near Dallas, consider renting a portable moving container from PODS to help you make the move. PODS will deliver the container to your driveway, and you can load it on your own time. And as a bonus, one month's storage is included with every move!

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow; median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.