City in Denton County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in Little Elm, TX

B

28th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 67 of 100
77th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

Little Elm earns a grade of B on our index, 28th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on internet access and safety, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.

  • Low crime
  • Fast-growing
  • Well connected
  • Errands and things to do scores low (13 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (0 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Little Elm isHoustonSan AntonioAustinLittle Elm
Where Little Elm is in Texas.
Population
62,727+36.2% since 2020
Median rent
$1,95339% higher than Texas
Median home value
$420,70048% higher than Texas
Household income
$119,219Median
Average commute
35 minOne way
Violent crime
139Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Little Elm

Little Elm sits about 29 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 62,727 people lived here in 2025, up 36.2% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is suburban, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2011).

Local spots people know include Lake Lewisville Beach, Beard Park and Doe Branch Park.

The median age is 35.4, 50% of households have children, 70% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $119,219 a year (52% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Little Elm

  • Low violent crime. 139 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 64% lower than the Texas rate.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $119,219, 52% higher than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 36% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Little Elm

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 27% of the 11 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,953, 39% higher than the Texas median.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 35 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 and hail as very high here.

Who Little Elm suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 27% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 64% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 52% higher than the Texas median, with 139 restaurants and 14 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 18% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 13% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 64% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA strong fit: 98% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,953 is 39% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 75% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,953 is 39% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 54% for people on a budget.

Little Elm report card

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

  • Cost of living: grade B

    Median rent $1,953, homes cost 3.5x income.

    68 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $119,219, 6.6% unemployed.

    61 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade D+

    11 rated campuses, 27% rated A or B.

    27 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade A-

    139 violent crimes per 100k, 340 property crimes per 100k.

    82 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade D-

    10 grocery stores, 139 restaurants, 34 parks mapped in town.

    13 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 35 min, 27% work from home.

    0 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade B+

    44% have a bachelor’s degree.

    73 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade C

    13% of adults uninsured.

    46 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade A-

    70% of homes owner-occupied.

    81 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade A+

    98% of homes have broadband.

    99 of 100 vs US cities

Where Little Elm stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median household income: $119,21952% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 44%10 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 44%8 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Median rent: $1,95339% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 35 min30% higher than Texas (27 min)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 0.4%2 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Little Elm

Little Elm renters pay a median of $1,953 a month, 39% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $78,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 44% 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 $420,700, 48% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,303 before tax, or $2,921 with property tax. That is $968 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 Little Elm pays $7,420 a year, 75% 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 Little Elm

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Little ElmStudio$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 rent39% higher than Texas$1,953$1,403$1,413
Median home value48% higher than Texas$420,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to incomeAbout the same as Texas3.5x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent8 points lower than Texas44%52%51%
Median property tax per year75% higher than Texas$7,420$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them8 points higher than Texas70%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas201119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,921
Mortgage payment
$2,303
Property tax
$618
Median rent, for comparison
$1,953

Based on a $420,700 home in Little Elm, 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 Little Elm safe?

In 2025, Little Elm Police Department reported 91 violent crimes and 222 property crimes. That works out to 139 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 64% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 340 property crimes per 100,000, 84% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.

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 Little Elm by yearTexas13920212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
139
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
340
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Little Elm by yearTexas34020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Little Elm

Little Elm has 11 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 27% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Denton ISD, Frisco ISD and Little Elm ISD.

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
27
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
78
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

  • BUnion Park ElementaryElementary, Denton ISD89 of 100
  • BRobertson ElementaryElementary, Frisco ISD87 of 100
  • BLittle Elm High SchoolHigh, Little Elm ISD85 of 100
  • CZellars Early Childhood Learning CenterOther, Little Elm ISD79 of 100
  • CRay Braswell High SchoolHigh, Denton ISD78 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Little Elm

We grade 7 areas inside Little Elm. The top three are Southeast Little Elm (A-), South Little Elm (B+) and North Little Elm (B). If price matters most, Southeast Little Elm has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,680 a month. Northwest Little Elm is the priciest, at $2,400. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank Little Elm neighborhoods your way

    What matters to you?

    Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.

    Most
    A lot
    Most
    A lot
    A lot
    A lot
    Some
    A lot
    Some
    A little

    The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.

    7 Little Elm neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1A-Southeast Little Elm2,841 people, median rent $1,680, home $661,000100fit
    2. 2B+South Little Elm2,444 people, median rent $2,070, home $473,00083fit
    3. 3BNorth Little Elm8,896 people, median rent $1,970, home $415,00067fit
    4. 4BNorthwest Little Elm3,096 people, median rent $2,400, home $476,00050fit
    5. 5BWest Little Elm2,100 people, median rent $1,880, home $436,00033fit
    6. 6B-Central Little Elm39,243 people, median rent $2,160, home $416,00017fit
    7. 7D+Southwest Little Elm4,615 people, median rent $1,740, home $191,0000fit
    All 7 Little Elm neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Little Elm

    Everyday places mapped inside Little Elm, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Lake Lewisville Beach, Beard Park, Doe Branch Park.

    The average one-way commute is 35 minutes, 30% longer than the Texas average. 27% 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 29 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Little Elm work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $119,219, income per person is $48,310, unemployment is 6.6% and 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    10
    Pharmacies
    5
    Restaurants
    139
    Cafes
    14
    Bars
    17
    Parks
    34
    Gyms
    22
    Hospitals and urgent care
    7
    Childcare
    16
    Libraries
    3

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income52% higher than Texas$119,219$78,476$80,734
    Income per person19% higher than Texas$48,310$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate1 points higher than Texas6.6%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line5 points lower than Texas9.0%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher10 points higher than Texas44%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points higher than Texas94%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet7 points higher than Texas98%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute30% higher than Texas35 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home13 points higher than Texas27%14%15%
    Workers who work from home27%
    Workers who take transit0.1%
    Workers who walk0.3%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Little Elm

    Under 1828%
    18 to 3421%
    35 to 6443%
    65 and over7.5%

    Median age 35.4 years. 50% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White41%
    Hispanic or Latino20%
    Black21%
    Asian11%
    Other or more than one race6.7%

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

    Weather in Little Elm

    Little Elm has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 95 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Little Elm30°50°70°90°56J60F68M76A83M91J96J96A88S78O66N57DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Denton 2 Se, 12 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 very 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
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailVery high
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsLow
    • 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 Little Elm

    Nearby, Paloma Creek South gets a B, Savannah gets a B+ and Hackberry gets a C+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. BPaloma Creek SouthTown, 8,860 people2 mi
    2. B+SavannahTown, 6,469 people3 mi
    3. C+HackberryTown, 2,979 people3 mi
    4. C+Paloma CreekTown, 3,016 people3 mi
    5. B-AubreyTown, 7,396 people4 mi
    6. CProvidence VillageTown, 8,721 people4 mi

    Little Elm 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. 74BTalty2,881 people22 mito downtown
    5. 75BFairview10,783 people26 mito downtown
    6. 76BPonder2,626 people40 mito downtown
    7. 77BLittle Elm54,820 people29 mito downtown
    8. 78BPrinceton25,229 people31 mito downtown
    9. 79BBlue Mound2,366 people33 mito downtown
    10. 80BLewisville131,080 people21 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

    Living in Little Elm: common questions

    Is Little Elm, TX a good place to live?

    Little Elm earns a grade of B on our index, 28th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on internet access and safety, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.

    How much does it cost to live in Little Elm?

    Renters in Little Elm pay a median of $1,953 a month, 39% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $420,700, 48% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.5x 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 $2,921, including property tax.

    Is Little Elm safe?

    In 2025, Little Elm Police Department reported 139 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 64% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 340 per 100,000, 84% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Little Elm?

    We found 11 rated public school campuses inside Little Elm. 27% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 27 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Little Elm?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Little Elm are Southeast Little Elm, South Little Elm and North Little Elm. We score 7 areas in the city.

    Does Little Elm flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Little Elm 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 Little Elm?

    Summers in Little Elm peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 95 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Little Elm?

    The average one-way commute is 35 min, 30% higher than the Texas average. About 27% of workers work from home. It is about 29 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.