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

Living in Oak Leaf, TX

A+

29th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 96 of 100
15th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

Oak Leaf gets an overall grade of A+ and ranks 29th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and cost of living, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, remote workers and people on a budget.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for remote workers
  • Good for people on a budget
  • Getting around scores low (18 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Oak Leaf isHoustonSan AntonioAustinOak Leaf
Where Oak Leaf is in Texas.
Population
1,684+8.9% since 2020
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$411,30045% higher than Texas
Household income
$131,806Median
Average commute
25 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Oak Leaf

Oak Leaf sits about 20 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 1,684 people lived here in 2025, up 8.9% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 46.8, 31% of households have children, 97% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $131,806 a year (68% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Oak Leaf

  • High incomes. The median household earns $131,806, 68% higher than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Oak Leaf

No clear weak spots in our data.

Who Oak Leaf suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 97% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 68% higher than the Texas median, with 1 restaurant and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 92% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 94% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for people on a budget.

Oak Leaf report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Oak Leaf 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 A-

    Homes cost 3.1x income.

    84 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A-

    Median household income $131,806, 5.5% unemployed.

    81 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    Not enough data.

    68 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 1 restaurant, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 25 min, 18% work from home.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade A-

    42% have a bachelor’s degree.

    81 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade B-

    11% of adults uninsured.

    57 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade A+

    97% of homes owner-occupied.

    95 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B-

    92% of homes have broadband.

    63 of 100 vs US towns

Where Oak Leaf stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 11%41 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 97%34 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median household income: $131,80668% higher than Texas ($78,476)

Worse than Texas

  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 0%3 points lower than Texas (2.6%)

Cost of living in Oak Leaf

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 $411,300, 45% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,251 before tax, or $2,660 with property tax.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Oak Leaf pays $4,906 a year, 16% 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 Oak LeafStudio$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 home value45% higher than Texas$411,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income14% lower than Texas3.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent41 points lower than Texas11%52%51%
Median property tax per year16% higher than Texas$4,906$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them34 points higher than Texas97%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,660
Mortgage payment
$2,251
Property tax
$409

Based on a $411,300 home in Oak Leaf, 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.

Daily life in Oak Leaf

Everyday places mapped inside Oak Leaf, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 25 minutes, 5% shorter than the Texas average. 18% 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 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Oak Leaf work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $131,806, income per person is $56,653, unemployment is 5.5% and 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
1
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income68% higher than Texas$131,806$78,476$80,734
Income per person39% higher than Texas$56,653$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas5.5%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line11 points lower than Texas2.8%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher8 points higher than Texas42%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher10 points higher than Texas96%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance8 points lower than Texas11%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet1 points higher than Texas92%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute5% lower than Texas25 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home4 points higher than Texas18%14%15%
Workers who work from home18%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Oak Leaf

Under 1819%
18 to 3420%
35 to 6443%
65 and over19%

Median age 46.8 years. 31% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White63%
Hispanic or Latino16%
Black15%
Asian3.2%
Other or more than one race2.5%

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

Weather in Oak Leaf

Oak Leaf has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 96 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 41 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Oak Leaf30°50°70°90°56J60F67M75A82M90J95J95A88S78O66N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Waxahachie, 6 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    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 Oak Leaf

    Nearby, Ovilla gets an A-, Glenn Heights gets a D- and Bear Creek Ranch 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. A-OvillaTown, 4,375 people2 mi
    2. D-Glenn HeightsSmall city, 18,096 people2 mi
    3. CBear Creek RanchTown, 1,604 people7 mi
    4. DDeSotoCity, 56,211 people7 mi
    5. B+MidlothianSmall city, 39,356 people7 mi
    6. CRed OakSmall city, 17,077 people7 mi

    Oak Leaf 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. 12A+Willow Park5,874 people51 mito downtown
    5. 13A+Keller45,976 people28 mito downtown
    6. 14A+Aledo5,825 people49 mito downtown
    7. 15A+Oak Leaf1,827 people20 mito downtown
    8. 16APlano290,594 people18 mito downtown
    9. 17ASachse30,491 people16 mito downtown
    10. 18AMcKinney210,600 people29 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

    Living in Oak Leaf: common questions

    Is Oak Leaf, TX a good place to live?

    Oak Leaf gets an overall grade of A+ and ranks 29th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and cost of living, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, remote workers and people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Oak Leaf?

    The median home is worth $411,300, 45% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.1x 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 $2,660, including property tax.

    What is the weather like in Oak Leaf?

    Summers in Oak Leaf peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 96 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 41 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Oak Leaf?

    The average one-way commute is 25 min, 5% lower than the Texas average. About 18% of workers work from home. It is about 20 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.