10 Most Affordable Dallas Suburbs to Live In

Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “the Big D,” or just by its name, Dallas is often deemed one of many great destinations to live in Texas. With the Dallas Zoo, concerts to see each week, and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder the city is also home to nearly 1 million people. If you’re considering buying a home in Dallas, expect the median home sale price to land at around $410,400. And if you’re renting an apartment in Dallas, expect the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment to be around $2,029.

Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home that does. We’ve rounded up a list of the 10 best affordable Dallas suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 30-minute drive from the city. So no matter where you live, you’ll still be close enough to explore the city’s great neighborhoods without the price of living in Dallas.

#1: Wilmer

Median home price: $240,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 20 minutes
Wilmer, TX homes for sale
Wilmer, TX apartments for rent

With a median home sale price nearly $170K less than Dallas, Wilmer claims the first spot on our list of affordable Dallas suburbs. Just about a 20-minute drive away from Dallas, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you move to Wilmer, make sure to explore the nearby Trinity River Greenbelt Goat Island Preserve where you can find picturesque views of the Trinity River.

#2: Balch Springs

Median home price: $254,900
Driving distance from Dallas: 20 minutes
Balch Springs, TX homes for sale
Balch Springs, TX apartments for rent

Balch Springs takes second place on our list. The same distance from Dallas as Wilmer, you’ll be exploring the Dallas Museum of Art in just a quick drive. When living in Balch Springs, make sure to visit Walter E. Luedeke Park or grab some great local Tex-Mex cuisine.

#3: Mesquite

Median home price: $269,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 15 minutes
Mesquite, TX homes for sale
Mesquite, TX apartments for rent

Drive just 15 minutes outside of Dallas and you’ll reach Mesquite, another great suburb to consider living in. With a population of about 136,000, there are plenty of unique spots to visit in Mesquite. Make sure to visit Celebration Station amusement park or City Lake Park for an afternoon picnic if you move to the third most affordable Dallas suburb.

#4: Duncanville (tie)

Median home price: $275,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 15 minutes
Duncanville, TX homes for sale
Duncanville, TX apartments for rent

About a 15-minute drive into the city, consider adding Duncanville to your list of Dallas suburbs to check out. With 37,000 residents, moving to this affordable area can keep you close enough to Dallas, without paying the premium for a home there. Living in Duncanville, you’ll find great picnic spots at Armstrong Park and Lakeside Park. Don’t forget to stop by nearby Cedar Ridge Preserve to hike on one of the many beautiful trails.

#4: Lancaster (tie)

Median home price: $275,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 20 minutes
Lancaster, TX homes for sale
Lancaster, TX apartments for rent

Tying the fourth spot with Duncanville is the suburb of Lancaster. Even with a population close to 39,000, there’s still plenty to do in this Dallas suburb. You can spend the day at Lancaster Recreation Center or Lancaster City Park to enjoy the Texas sunshine. Only 20 minutes away from downtown Dallas, you can easily head into the city, whether you’re looking to try a new restaurant or see a show.

#6: Garland

Median home price: $309,500
Driving distance from Dallas: 30 minutes
Garland, TX homes for sale
Garland, TX apartments for rent

Another well-known Dallas suburb is Garland, where the home prices are nearly $100K less than in Dallas. Garland has about 235,000 residents and is a great suburb to consider moving to. From Spring Creek Forest Preserve and Hawaiian Falls Garland to favorite local restaurants, you won’t get tired of this great suburb.

#7: Grand Prairie

Median home price: $360,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 15 minutes
Grand Prairie, TX homes for sale
Grand Prairie, TX apartments for rent

Next on our list of affordable Dallas suburbs is Grand Prairie, which is roughly 15 minutes away from downtown. With a population of nearly 197,000, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Grand Prairie. Don’t miss out on visiting Ripley’s Believe It or Not! or one of the many lakefront parks at Joe Pool Lake.

#8: Cedar Hill

Median home price: $370,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 20 minutes
Cedar Hill, TX homes for sale
Cedar Hill, TX apartments for rent

Cedar Hill, number eight on our list, is a great place to rent or buy a home in. Without traffic, you’ll be in downtown Dallas in about 20 minutes, but there are plenty of areas around Cedar Hill to explore in your free time. Popular things to do in Cedar Hill include exploring Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Altitude Trampoline Park, Cedar Trails Greenbelt, and Cedar Ridge Preserve.

#9: Combine

Median home price: $372,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 25 minutes
Combine, TX homes for sale
Combine, TX apartments for rent

Combine takes the ninth spot on our list of Dallas suburbs to consider moving to. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Dallas in roughly 25 minutes. Combine has a population of about 2,700 residents and is home to John Bunker Sands Wetland Center where you can observe the local wildlife.

#10: Irving

Median home sale price: $376,000
Driving distance from Dallas: 15 minutes
Irving, TX homes for sale
Irving, TX apartments for rent

Claiming the final spot on our list is Irving, with a median home sale price of about $45K less than in Dallas. This suburb is home to about 240,000 people, so you’ll still be living in an area with a quarter of Dallas’ population. If you move to Irving, consider checking out the Irving Arts Center, the Mandalay Canal Walk at Las Colinas, and the Fritz Park Petting Farm to see what the city has to offer.

Methodology

Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Dallas and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Dallas. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during April 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.

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