Small city in Collin County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in Celina, TX

A-

35th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 84 of 100
42nd of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

Celina earns a grade of A- on our index, 35th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do. It is a strong pick for families.

  • Good for families
  • Low crime
  • Fast-growing
  • Well connected
  • Errands and things to do scores low (6 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (1 of 100)
Downtown
Photo: Erod1997, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Population
64,427+276.8% since 2020
Median rent
$2,37970% higher than Texas
Median home value
$509,60080% higher than Texas
Household income
$170,894Median
Average commute
33 minOne way
Violent crime
50Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Celina

Celina sits about 37 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 64,427 people lived here in 2025, up 276.8% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2015).

Places locals use include Old Celina Park, Founders Station Park and Celina Public Library.

The median age is 34.7, 57% of households have children, 93% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $170,894 a year (118% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Celina

  • Strong public schools. 90% of the 10 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 50 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 87% lower than the Texas rate.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $170,894, 118% higher than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 277% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Celina

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $2,379, 70% higher than the Texas median.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 33 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, heat waves and hail as very high here.

Who Celina suits

  • FamiliesA strong fit: 90% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 87% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 85% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 118% higher than the Texas median, with 51 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 33% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 9.7% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 87% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 78% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 98% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $2,379 is 70% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $2,379 is 70% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for people on a budget.

Celina report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Celina with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D+

    Median rent $2,379, homes cost 3.0x income.

    26 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade A

    Median household income $170,894, 2.8% unemployed.

    95 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade A-

    10 rated campuses, 90% rated A or B.

    81 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade A

    50 violent crimes per 100k, 452 property crimes per 100k.

    94 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade F

    3 grocery stores, 51 restaurants, 12 parks mapped in town.

    6 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 33 min, 36% work from home.

    1 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade A

    64% have a bachelor’s degree.

    91 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade B

    9.7% of adults uninsured.

    68 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    93% of homes owner-occupied.

    72 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade A+

    98% of homes have broadband.

    98 of 100 vs US cities

Where Celina stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median household income: $170,894118% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 64%30 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 93%30 points higher than Texas (63%)

Worse than Texas

  • Median rent: $2,37970% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 62%11 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Average commute: 33 min25% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Celina

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Celina is $2,379 a month, 70% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $95,000 a year. Right now 62% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $509,600, 80% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,789 before tax, or $3,582 with property tax. That is $1,203 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Celina pays $9,514 a year, 125% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for Celina

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in CelinaStudio$1,4911 bedroom$1,5362 bedrooms$1,8073 bedrooms$2,2754 bedrooms$2,892
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent70% higher than Texas$2,379$1,403$1,413
Median home value80% higher than Texas$509,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income18% lower than Texas3.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent11 points higher than Texas62%52%51%
Median property tax per year125% higher than Texas$9,514$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them30 points higher than Texas93%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas201519921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$3,582
Mortgage payment
$2,789
Property tax
$793
Median rent, for comparison
$2,379

Based on a $509,600 home in Celina, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Celina safe?

In 2025, Celina Police Department reported 27 violent crimes and 242 property crimes. That works out to 50 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 87% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 452 property crimes per 100,000, 78% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 29% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Celina by yearTexas5020212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
50
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
452
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Celina by yearTexas45220212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Celina Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Celina

Celina has 10 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 90% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Prosper ISD and Celina ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Lilyana Elementary, Jerry & Linda Moore Middle and Celina High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 88 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
81
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
88
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • ALilyana ElementaryElementary, Prosper ISD92 of 100
  • AJerry & Linda Moore MiddleMiddle, Celina ISD91 of 100
  • ACelina High SchoolHigh, Celina ISD90 of 100
  • ATommie Dobie Bothwell ElementaryElementary, Celina ISD90 of 100
  • BDan Christie ElementaryElementary, Prosper ISD89 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Celina

We grade 3 areas inside Celina. The top three are Southeast Celina (A-), South Celina (A-) and Central Celina (B). If price matters most, Central Celina has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $2,200 a month. South Celina is the priciest, at $2,970. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 3 Celina neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Celina

    Everyday places mapped inside Celina, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Old Celina Park, Founders Station Park, Celina Public Library.

    The average one-way commute is 33 minutes, 25% longer than the Texas average. 36% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Dallas is about 37 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Celina work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $170,894, income per person is $58,904, unemployment is 2.8% and 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    3
    Pharmacies
    5
    Restaurants
    51
    Cafes
    6
    Bars
    8
    Parks
    12
    Gyms
    10
    Hospitals and urgent care
    2
    Childcare
    4
    Libraries
    2

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income118% higher than Texas$170,894$78,476$80,734
    Income per person45% higher than Texas$58,904$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas2.8%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line9 points lower than Texas4.7%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher30 points higher than Texas64%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher11 points higher than Texas97%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance10 points lower than Texas9.7%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet7 points higher than Texas98%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute25% higher than Texas33 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home21 points higher than Texas36%14%15%
    Workers who work from home36%
    Workers who take transit0%
    Workers who walk0%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Celina

    Under 1832%
    18 to 3419%
    35 to 6440%
    65 and over9.4%

    Median age 34.7 years. 57% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White53%
    Hispanic or Latino14%
    Black9.2%
    Asian17%
    Other or more than one race6.9%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in Celina

    Celina has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 97 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Celina30°50°70°90°56J60F68M75A83M91J95J96A88S78O66N57DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Mckinney Muni Ap, 15 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

    • River floodingHigh
    • HurricanesModerate
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailVery high
    • Heat wavesVery high
    • WildfiresVery high
    • Winter stormsHigh
    • Strong windModerate

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Celina

    Nearby, Pilot Point gets a B-, Prosper gets an A and Aubrey gets a B-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. B-Pilot PointTown, 5,332 people5 mi
    2. AProsperSmall city, 37,869 people6 mi
    3. B-AubreyTown, 7,396 people9 mi
    4. A-GunterTown, 2,398 people9 mi
    5. B+SavannahTown, 6,469 people10 mi
    6. C+Paloma CreekTown, 3,016 people11 mi

    Celina in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

    How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
    3. 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
    4. 39A-North Richland Hills70,780 people27 mito downtown
    5. 40A-Dennis1,402 people69 mito downtown
    6. 41A-Mansfield77,510 people26 mito downtown
    7. 42A-Celina34,268 people37 mito downtown
    8. 43A-Farmers Branch36,645 people11 mito downtown
    9. 44A-Krum6,189 people42 mito downtown
    10. 45A-Grapevine51,139 people20 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

    Living in Celina: common questions

    Is Celina, TX a good place to live?

    Celina earns a grade of A- on our index, 35th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do. It is a strong pick for families.

    How much does it cost to live in Celina?

    Median rent in Celina is $2,379 a month, 70% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $509,600, 80% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.0x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $3,582, including property tax.

    Is Celina safe?

    In 2025, Celina Police Department reported 50 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 87% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 452 per 100,000, 78% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Celina?

    We found 10 rated public school campuses inside Celina. 90% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 81 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Celina?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Celina are Southeast Celina, South Celina and Central Celina. We score 3 areas in the city.

    Does Celina flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Celina as high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires and winter storms. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Celina?

    Summers in Celina peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Celina?

    The average one-way commute is 33 min, 25% higher than the Texas average. About 36% of workers work from home. It is about 37 miles from downtown Dallas.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.