Town in Dallas County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in Highland Park, TX

A+

12th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 98 of 100
7th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

We give Highland Park an A+. It ranks 12th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and education levels, and trails on cost of living. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, retirees and remote workers.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for retirees
  • Good for remote workers
  • Errands close by
  • Top-rated schools
  • Pricey
  • Well connected
  • Short commutes
  • Cost of living scores low (16 of 100)
  • Heat wave risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Highland Park isHoustonSan AntonioAustinHighland Park
Where Highland Park is in Texas.
Population
8,764-1.1% since 2020
Median rent
$1,94038% higher than Texas
Median home value
$1,989,900601% higher than Texas
Household income
$250,000+Median
Average commute
20 minOne way
Violent crime
46Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Highland Park

Highland Park sits about 3 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 8,764 people lived here in 2025, down 1.1% from 2020. It is suburban.

Places locals use include Lakeside Park, Davis Park and Prather Park.

The median age is 44.9, 36% of households have children, 89% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $250,000+ a year (219% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Highland Park

  • Low violent crime. 46 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 88% lower than the Texas rate.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $250,000+, 219% higher than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 20 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Plenty close to home. 5 grocery stores, 27 restaurants and 20 parks are mapped in town.
  • Healthier population. Only 5.1% of working-age adults lack health insurance.

Cons of living in Highland Park

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,940, 38% higher than the Texas median.
  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 8.0 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of heat waves and hail as very high here.

Who Highland Park suits

  • FamiliesA strong fit: violent crime is 88% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 96% for families.
  • Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 219% higher than the Texas median, with 27 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 98% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 5.1% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 88% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 98% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA strong fit: 99% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,940 is 38% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 96% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,940 is 38% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 14% for people on a budget.

Highland Park report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Highland Park with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D-

    Median rent $1,940, homes cost 8.0x income.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B+

    Median household income $250,000+, 4.5% unemployed.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A+

    2 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    100 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C+

    46 violent crimes per 100k, 2,495 property crimes per 100k.

    56 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade A+

    5 grocery stores, 27 restaurants, 20 parks mapped in town.

    96 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 20 min, 25% work from home.

    62 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade A+

    88% have a bachelor’s degree.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade A+

    5.1% of adults uninsured.

    97 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B

    89% of homes owner-occupied.

    71 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade A+

    99% of homes have broadband.

    95 of 100 vs US towns

Where Highland Park stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median household income: $250,000+219% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 88%54 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 89%27 points higher than Texas (63%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 8.0x120% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $1,94038% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 1.0%2 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Highland Park

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Highland Park is $1,940 a month, 38% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $78,000 a year. Right now 40% 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 $1,989,900, 601% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $10,892 before tax, or $11,726 with property tax. That is $9,786 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 Highland Park pays $10,000+ a year, 136% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Highland ParkStudio$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 rent38% higher than Texas$1,940$1,403$1,413
Median home value601% higher than Texas$1,989,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income120% higher than Texas8.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent12 points lower than Texas40%52%51%
Median property tax per year136% higher than Texas$10,000+$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them27 points higher than Texas89%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$11,726
Mortgage payment
$10,892
Property tax
$833
Median rent, for comparison
$1,940

Based on a $1,989,900 home in Highland Park, 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 Highland Park safe?

In 2025, Highland Park Police Department reported 4 violent crimes and 218 property crimes. That works out to 46 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 2,495 property crimes per 100,000, 20% higher than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 54% 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 Highland Park by yearTexas4620212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
46
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
2,495
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Highland Park by yearTexas2,49520212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Highland Park

Highland Park has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Highland Park ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Bradfield Elementary and Armstrong Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 95 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
100
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
95
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

  • ABradfield ElementaryElementary, Highland Park ISD96 of 100
  • AArmstrong ElementaryElementary, Highland Park ISD94 of 100

Daily life in Highland Park

Everyday places mapped inside Highland Park, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Lakeside Park, Davis Park, Prather Park.

The average one-way commute is 20 minutes, 25% shorter than the Texas average. 25% 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 3 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Highland Park work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $250,000+, income per person is $195,677, unemployment is 4.5% and 88% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
5
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
27
Cafes
6
Bars
4
Parks
20
Gyms
3
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income219% higher than Texas$250,000+$78,476$80,734
Income per person380% higher than Texas$195,677$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas4.5%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line7 points lower than Texas7.0%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher54 points higher than Texas88%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher13 points higher than Texas99%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance15 points lower than Texas5.1%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet7 points higher than Texas99%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute25% lower than Texas20 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home11 points higher than Texas25%14%15%
Workers who work from home25%
Workers who take transit0.3%
Workers who walk0.7%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Highland Park

Under 1825%
18 to 3412%
35 to 6443%
65 and over20%

Median age 44.9 years. 36% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White90%
Hispanic or Latino4.4%
Black0.3%
Asian3.9%
Other or more than one race1.5%

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

Weather in Highland Park

Highland Park has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 38°F. There are about 108 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Highland Park30°50°70°90°58J62F70M77A85M93J97J97A90S80O68N59DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Dallas Love Fld, 3 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingModerate
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresLow
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windLow

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 Highland Park

Nearby, Dallas gets a C-, University Park gets an A+ and Farmers Branch gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. C-DallasCity, 1,307,930 people1 mi
  2. A+University ParkSmall city, 25,155 people1 mi
  3. A-Farmers BranchSmall city, 36,645 people8 mi
  4. DCockrell HillTown, 3,703 people8 mi
  5. B-AddisonSmall city, 17,290 people9 mi
  6. A-RichardsonCity, 118,731 people10 mi

Highland Park 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. 4A+Seis Lagos1,391 people22 mito downtown
  5. 5A+Frisco219,304 people25 mito downtown
  6. 6A+Coppell42,154 people18 mito downtown
  7. 7A+Highland Park8,773 people3 mito downtown
  8. 8A+Colleyville26,012 people23 mito downtown
  9. 9A+Allen110,265 people22 mito downtown
  10. 10A+Annetta3,264 people52 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

Living in Highland Park: common questions

Is Highland Park, TX a good place to live?

We give Highland Park an A+. It ranks 12th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and education levels, and trails on cost of living. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, retirees and remote workers.

How much does it cost to live in Highland Park?

Median rent in Highland Park is $1,940 a month, 38% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $1,989,900, 601% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 8.0x 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 $11,726, including property tax.

Is Highland Park safe?

In 2025, Highland Park Police Department reported 46 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 2,495 per 100,000, 20% higher than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Highland Park?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Highland Park. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 100 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Highland Park flood?

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

What is the weather like in Highland Park?

Summers in Highland Park peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 38°F. Expect around 108 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Highland Park?

The average one-way commute is 20 min, 25% lower than the Texas average. About 25% of workers work from home. It is about 3 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.