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Dallas County (with parts in Collin, Denton, Kaufman and Rockwall counties) · TX

Moving to Dallas, Texas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Living in Dallas, Texas means choosing between very different parts of one large city. They range from high-rise Uptown to tree-lined East Dallas and the edge of the northern suburbs. Dallas has about 1.3 million residents, two airports and a 93-mile light rail system, yet most daily life still runs on the car. This guide shows where to look and what to plan for.

At a glance

County
Dallas County (parts in Collin, Denton, Kaufman and Rockwall counties)[3]
Population (2020 Census)
1,304,379[1]
Population estimate (July 1, 2025)
1,329,491[1]
Land area
339.58 square miles[1]
Owner-occupied homes (2020–2024)
42.4%[1]
Average commute (2020–2024)
25.7 minutes[1]
Main school district
Dallas ISD (parts of the city are in other districts)[3]
Rail
DART light rail (Red, Blue, Green, Orange), Silver Line, TRE, Dallas Streetcar[13]
Airports
Dallas Love Field (in the city) and DFW International[15]

What is it like to live in Dallas?

Dallas is the county seat of Dallas County and the anchor of the Dallas–Fort Worth region. It covers about 340 square miles of land. So "living in Dallas" can mean a downtown high-rise or an early 20th-century bungalow near White Rock Lake. It can also mean a suburban-style home north of LBJ Freeway.

Most residents drive for daily errands. But DART rail and the Dallas Streetcar make it possible to live with less driving in a few central areas. Summers are hot, and spring brings hail and tornado watches. Winters are usually mild, with a few icy days.

Owners live in about 42% of occupied homes, so you will find a large rental market next to streets of single-family homes. Commutes average about 26 minutes. But they swing widely based on which side of town you choose and whether you use toll roads.

Which parts of Dallas should I look at?

Start with how you want to live day to day. Downtown, Uptown and Deep Ellum have apartments, condos and lofts close to rail, restaurants and venues. Lakewood and the rest of East Dallas have early 20th-century homes near White Rock Lake.

Lake Highlands, north of the lake, is made up of dozens of subdivisions with hills and creek trails. Oak Cliff, across the Trinity River, has historic neighborhoods and the Bishop Arts District. Preston Hollow has large lots. Far North Dallas stretches into Collin and Denton counties.

Dallas crosses county and school district lines, so two homes with a Dallas address can have different tax rates, appraisal districts and schools. Check all three for every home before you fall in love with it.

How do you get around Dallas?

Dallas sits where Interstates 20, 30, 35E and 45 meet. LBJ Freeway (I-635) and the tolled President George Bush Turnpike form loops around it. The Dallas North Tollway and other toll roads are common, and TollTag customers pay half the ZipCash (bill-by-mail) rate.

DART runs 93 miles of light rail on four lines through downtown. It also runs the Silver Line regional rail to DFW Airport and the Trinity Railway Express to Fort Worth. Dallas Love Field is inside the city, and the Orange Line reaches DFW Airport Terminal A.

How do schools work in Dallas?

Most of the city is in Dallas ISD. It assigns students to neighborhood schools by attendance zone. It also runs magnet and choice schools, which you apply to through one central process. Parts of Dallas are in other districts. These include Richardson ISD in Lake Highlands and Plano ISD in the Collin County part of the city.

Charter and private schools are also options. Check official ratings at TXschools.gov. Confirm which school serves any address directly with the district.

What is there to do in Dallas?

White Rock Lake anchors East Dallas, with the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum on its eastern shore. The 3.5-mile Katy Trail runs from Victory Park through Uptown. Klyde Warren Park covers 5.4 acres and sits over a freeway between Uptown and the Arts District.

Fair Park hosts the State Fair of Texas each fall. The Mavericks and Stars play downtown at the American Airlines Center, and the Great Trinity Forest and Trinity River trails show a wilder side of the city.

What costs should I plan for in Dallas?

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are set by several taxing units: the city, the county, the school district and others. Your total depends on the exact address, so compare rates, not just prices.

Once you own and live in the home, file your homestead exemption with DCAD. School districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value. Also budget for insurance that covers hail and for HOA dues where they apply. You will also pay for power from the retail provider you choose.

What should I do next if Dallas is on my list?

Browse homes for sale in Dallas and save the areas that fit your commute. Compare nearby cities in the Irving relocation guide and the Carrollton relocation guide, or see all Dallas–Fort Worth guides.

When you are ready, check your home value, run the numbers in the mortgage calculator and schedule a call with Mariela.

Parts of town to know: Dallas

  • Downtown and UptownHigh-rise condos, apartments and townhomes next to offices, parks and every DART rail line.
  • Deep EllumLofts and newer apartments in a historic entertainment district just east of downtown.
  • Lakewood and East DallasHistoric homes from the early 1900s to the 1950s near White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum.
  • Lake HighlandsDozens of subdivisions north of White Rock Lake, with hills, creek trails and the DART Blue Line.
  • Oak Cliff and Bishop ArtsHistoric neighborhoods southwest of downtown, from Kessler Park to the Bishop Arts District.
  • Preston HollowLarge lots and estate homes in North Dallas, developed mostly from the 1930s on.
  • Far North DallasThe part of Dallas north of LBJ Freeway, spanning Dallas, Collin and Denton counties.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at TXschools.gov (TEA). Dallas Independent School District, Richardson Independent School District, Plano Independent School District, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.

Homes for sale now — Dallas

Search all homes in Dallas

Common questions

Do I need a toll tag when I move to Dallas?

It is worth getting one if you will use toll roads such as the Dallas North Tollway or the President George Bush Turnpike. The North Texas Tollway Authority says drivers without a TollTag pay twice as much. Those drivers are billed by mail through ZipCash. A TollTag also works on toll roads across Texas.

What should I know before moving to Lakewood in Dallas?

Lakewood is an East Dallas neighborhood beside White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum. Its homes were built mostly from the early 1900s to the 1950s. Many streets sit in historic or conservation districts that set rules for changes to the outside of a home. Ask about those rules, the home's updates and the foundation before you buy.

Where should I live if I commute between downtown Dallas and Plano?

Look along the US 75 corridor and the DART Red Line. The Red Line runs from downtown through North Dallas and Richardson to Plano. Lake Highlands and Far North Dallas are two parts of the city to compare. Test the drive at rush hour, and check how close the nearest rail station is.

How do schools work in Dallas?

Most of Dallas is in Dallas ISD, which assigns students by attendance zone and runs magnet and choice schools by application. Some neighborhoods are in other districts, such as Richardson ISD or Plano ISD. Check ratings at TXschools.gov. Confirm which school serves any address directly with the district.

How much are property taxes in Dallas?

There is no single Dallas rate. Your bill combines the city, county, school district and other taxing units for that address. It is based on the appraised value minus exemptions. Look up the account on DCAD and the county tax office, and file your homestead exemption once you live in the home.

Can I live in Dallas without a car?

It is possible in a few central areas, but most residents drive. DART has 93 miles of light rail, the Silver Line and buses. It also has GoLink, a ride you book when you need it, and the Dallas Streetcar. Downtown, Uptown and parts of Oak Cliff near the streetcar are the easiest places to try it.

What should I know about buying near White Rock Lake?

Homes around the lake are spread across Lakewood, other East Dallas neighborhoods and Lake Highlands. Each has different ages of housing and different school districts. Check whether the address is in a conservation district and which school district serves it. Also check whether the lot is near a creek or flood zone.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Dallas, Irving, Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Lewisville cities, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. 2024 Gazetteer Files: Places, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Uptown, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Deep Ellum, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Lakewood, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Lake Highlands, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Oak Cliff, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Bishop Arts District, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Preston Hollow, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Far North Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  12. About DART, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  13. DART Rail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Silver Line Regional Rail Project, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  15. DART to Airports, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  16. TRE Stations, Trinity Railway Express (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Airport Facts & Figures, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Dallas Love Field, City of Dallas Department of Aviation (read 2026-09-24)
  19. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Dallas ISD: Enroll / Find Your School, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Dallas ISD Magnet Programs, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Richardson ISD, Richardson Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Texas School Report Cards (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Walk Score, Walk Score (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Special Purpose Districts, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Notice to Purchaser of Special Taxing or Assessment District (TREC 59-0), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Dallas Central Appraisal District, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Homestead Exemption Application Filing, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Tax Office, Dallas County (read 2026-09-24)
  32. About Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Power to Choose, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Moving to Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  35. New to Texas, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Register to Vote, Texas Secretary of State (VoteTexas.gov) (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Sanitation Services, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Office of Emergency Management, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  39. National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas, NOAA National Weather Service (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Tornado Safety: During, NOAA National Weather Service (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Dallas Parks & Recreation, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  42. Friends of the Katy Trail, Friends of the Katy Trail (read 2026-09-24)
  43. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas Arboretum (read 2026-09-24)
  44. Klyde Warren Park, Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation (read 2026-09-24)
  45. Parkland Health, Parkland Health (read 2026-09-24)
  46. UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center (read 2026-09-24)
  47. Hospital locations, Baylor Scott & White Health (read 2026-09-24)
  48. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Health System (read 2026-09-24)
  49. Texas Health Dallas, Texas Health Resources (read 2026-09-24)
  50. Children's Health, Children's Health (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.

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