Farmers Branch vs University Park: which is better to live in?
Farmers Branch gets A- overall and University Park gets A+. University Park comes out ahead on our index.
Farmers Branch wins on cost of living. University Park wins on jobs and income, schools, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access.
Farmers Branch suits people on a budget better, while University Park suits families and retirees better.
Side by side
| Farmers Branch | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | A- | A+ |
| Population | 38,320 | 25,323 |
| Growth since 2020 | +7.7% | +0.2% |
| Median rent | $1,864 | $3,272 |
| Median home value | $364,600 | $1,861,800 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,411 | $11,024 |
| Median household income | $91,186 | $250,000+ |
| Property tax per year | $4,982 | $10,000+ |
| Violent crime per 100k | 133 | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | 2,031 | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 86% | 100% |
| Average commute | 22 min | 17 min |
| Work from home | 20% | 23% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 53% | 91% |
| Median age | 33.4 years | 29.4 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 108 | 108 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Farmers Branch | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | C+ (50) | D- (11) |
| Jobs and income | B (69) | A (92) |
| Schools | B+ (75) | A+ (99) |
| Safety | C+ (54) | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | A (94) | A+ (99) |
| Getting around | B (65) | A+ (97) |
| Education levels | C+ (53) | A+ (100) |
| Health | D+ (30) | A- (87) |
| Home ownership | D- (11) | B (70) |
| Internet access | A- (81) | A+ (99) |
Cost of living
Farmers Branch is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is lower in Farmers Branch: a median of $1,864 a month, 43% lower than University Park's $3,272.
The median home is worth $364,600 in Farmers Branch and $1,861,800 in University Park. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,411 a month against $11,024, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 4.0 times income in Farmers Branch and 7.4 times in University Park.
Commute and location
Commutes average 22 minutes in Farmers Branch and 17 in University Park.
The two are about 7 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
We don't have a full year of police data for both cities, so we can't compare crime fairly.
For schools, 86% of Farmers Branch's 7 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 100% of University Park's 5.
Common questions
Is Farmers Branch or University Park better to live in?
University Park grades higher overall (A- vs A+). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Farmers Branch cheaper than University Park?
Yes. Farmers Branch has lower typical rent and home prices.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.