Little Elm vs Prosper: which is better to live in?
Little Elm gets B overall and Prosper gets A. Prosper comes out ahead on our index, though keep in mind each is graded against Texas places of its own size.
Little Elm wins on cost of living and home ownership. Prosper wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels and health.
Little Elm suits people on a budget better, while Prosper suits families, young professionals, retirees and remote workers better.
Side by side
| Little Elm | Prosper | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | B | A |
| Population | 62,727 | 45,605 |
| Growth since 2020 | +36.2% | +51.2% |
| Median rent | $1,953 | $2,176 |
| Median home value | $420,700 | $823,700 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,921 | $5,342 |
| Median household income | $119,219 | $195,281 |
| Property tax per year | $7,420 | $10,000+ |
| Violent crime per 100k | 139 | 43 |
| Property crime per 100k | 340 | 670 |
| Schools rated A or B | 27% | 100% |
| Average commute | 35 min | 29 min |
| Work from home | 27% | 36% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 44% | 67% |
| Median age | 35.4 years | 37.6 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 95 | 97 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | High |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Little Elm | Prosper | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B (68) | C (41) |
| Jobs and income | B- (61) | B+ (76) |
| Schools | D+ (27) | A- (86) |
| Safety | A- (82) | A (93) |
| Errands and things to do | D- (13) | B- (58) |
| Getting around | F (0) | F (5) |
| Education levels | B+ (73) | A+ (95) |
| Health | C (46) | A- (82) |
| Home ownership | A- (81) | B+ (77) |
| Internet access | A+ (99) | A+ (96) |
Cost of living
Little Elm is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is lower in Little Elm: a median of $1,953 a month, 10% lower than Prosper's $2,176.
The median home is worth $420,700 in Little Elm and $823,700 in Prosper. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,921 a month against $5,342, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.5 times income in Little Elm and 4.2 times in Prosper.
Commute and location
Commutes average 35 minutes in Little Elm and 29 in Prosper.
Safety and schools
Prosper has less violent crime. Little Elm reported 139 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Prosper reported 43 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 27% of Little Elm's 11 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 100% of Prosper's 14.
Common questions
Is Little Elm or Prosper better to live in?
Prosper grades higher overall (B vs A). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Little Elm cheaper than Prosper?
Yes. Little Elm has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Little Elm or Prosper?
Prosper, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
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.