Small city in Collin County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Living in Princeton, TX
67th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 67 of 100
78th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Princeton earns a grade of B on our index, 67th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and home ownership, and trails on errands and things to do and getting around.
- Fast-growing
- Errands and things to do scores low (15 of 100)
- Getting around scores low (16 of 100)
- Population
- 43,524+156.1% since 2020
- Median rent
- $2,23960% higher than Texas
- Median home value
- $331,00017% higher than Texas
- Household income
- $105,200Median
- Average commute
- 32 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 256Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Princeton
Princeton sits about 31 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 43,524 people lived here in 2025, up 156.1% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2014).
Places locals use include J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park, Trails at Riverstone Park and Princeton Dog Park.
The median age is 32.4, 52% of households have children, 76% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $105,200 a year (34% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Princeton
- High incomes. The median household earns $105,200, 34% higher than the Texas median.
- Growing fast. The population grew 156% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.
Cons of living in Princeton
- Higher rent. Median rent is $2,239, 60% higher than the Texas median.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 32 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, heat waves and hail as very high here.
Who Princeton suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 70% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 34% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 56% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 34% higher than the Texas median, with 62 restaurants and 6 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 17% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 34% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 95% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $2,239 is 60% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $2,239 is 60% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 59% for people on a budget.
Princeton report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Princeton with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Cost of living: grade B-
Median rent $2,239, homes cost 3.1x income.
58 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade A
Median household income $105,200, 2.5% unemployed.
91 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade B-
10 rated campuses, 70% rated A or B.
57 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade C+
256 violent crimes per 100k, 815 property crimes per 100k.
51 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade D-
2 grocery stores, 62 restaurants, 8 parks mapped in town.
15 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade D
Average commute 32 min, 15% work from home.
16 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade C-
29% have a bachelor’s degree.
40 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D+
17% of adults uninsured.
25 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade A-
76% of homes owner-occupied.
81 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade B+
95% of homes have broadband.
73 of 100 vs US cities
Where Princeton stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median household income: $105,20034% higher than Texas ($78,476)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 76%13 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 42%10 points lower than Texas (52%)
Worse than Texas
- Median rent: $2,23960% higher than Texas ($1,403)
- Average commute: 32 min21% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 29%5 points lower than Texas (34%)
Cost of living in Princeton
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Princeton is $2,239 a month, 60% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $90,000 a year. Right now 42% 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 $331,000, 17% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,812 before tax, or $2,256 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Princeton pays $5,326 a year, 26% 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 Princeton
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent60% higher than Texas | $2,239 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value17% higher than Texas | $331,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income13% lower than Texas | 3.1x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent10 points lower than Texas | 42% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year26% higher than Texas | $5,326 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them13 points higher than Texas | 76% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 2014 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,812
- Property tax
- $444
- Median rent, for comparison
- $2,239
Based on a $331,000 home in Princeton, 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 Princeton safe?
In 2025, Princeton Police Department reported 69 violent crimes and 220 property crimes. That works out to 256 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 34% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 815 property crimes per 100,000, 61% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is up about 36% 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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Princeton Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Princeton
Princeton has 10 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 70% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Princeton ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Clark Middle and Harper Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 82 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.
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
- AClark MiddleMiddle, Princeton ISD91 of 100
- AHarper ElementaryElementary, Princeton ISD91 of 100
- BLowe ElementaryElementary, Princeton ISD87 of 100
- BLovelady High SchoolHigh, Princeton ISD86 of 100
- BCanup Early ChildhoodOther, Princeton ISD81 of 100
Daily life in Princeton
Everyday places mapped inside Princeton, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park, Trails at Riverstone Park, Princeton Dog Park.
The average one-way commute is 32 minutes, 21% longer than the Texas average. 15% 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 31 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Princeton work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $105,200, income per person is $37,704, unemployment is 2.5% and 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income34% higher than Texas | $105,200 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person7% lower than Texas | $37,704 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas | 2.5% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line10 points lower than Texas | 4.1% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher5 points lower than Texas | 29% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points higher than Texas | 91% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points lower than Texas | 17% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet4 points higher than Texas | 95% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute21% higher than Texas | 32 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from homeAbout the same as Texas | 15% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Princeton
Median age 32.4 years. 52% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Princeton
Princeton has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 97 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Mckinney Muni Ap, 4 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 wavesVery high
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsModerate
- 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 Princeton
Nearby, Lowry Crossing gets a B+, Fairview gets a B and Melissa 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.
- B+Lowry CrossingTown, 1,433 people2 mi
- BFairviewSmall city, 10,783 people6 mi
- AMelissaSmall city, 20,136 people7 mi
- ALucasTown, 8,351 people7 mi
- AMcKinneyCity, 210,600 people8 mi
- A+Seis LagosTown, 1,391 people9 mi
Princeton in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.
- 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
- 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
- 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
- 75BFairview10,783 people26 mito downtown
- 76BPonder2,626 people40 mito downtown
- 77BLittle Elm54,820 people29 mito downtown
- 78BPrinceton25,229 people31 mito downtown
- 79BBlue Mound2,366 people33 mito downtown
- 80BLewisville131,080 people21 mito downtown
- 81B-Justin5,447 people37 mito downtown
Living in Princeton: common questions
Is Princeton, TX a good place to live?
Princeton earns a grade of B on our index, 67th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and home ownership, and trails on errands and things to do and getting around.
How much does it cost to live in Princeton?
Median rent in Princeton is $2,239 a month, 60% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $331,000, 17% 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 $2,256, including property tax.
Is Princeton safe?
In 2025, Princeton Police Department reported 256 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 34% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 815 per 100,000, 61% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Princeton?
We found 10 rated public school campuses inside Princeton. 70% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 57 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Does Princeton flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Princeton as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Princeton?
Summers in Princeton peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Princeton?
The average one-way commute is 32 min, 21% higher than the Texas average. About 15% of workers work from home. It is about 31 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.