Photo: Wikipedia
Quality of Life in Carrollton, TX
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
37% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Carrollton, TX for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $27k | $50k |
| Comfortable | $69k | $101k |
| Luxury | $165k+ | $256k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $195k+ | $302k+ |
98%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
8 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
20 within 20 miles
Airport
DFW — Dallas/Fort Worth International
Post Office
USPS — Carrollton, TX
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Carrollton, Texas, is an affluent, family-oriented suburb northwest of Dallas that blends upper-middle-class comfort with genuine suburban convenience. With a cost-of-living index of 137—37 percent above the national average—the city attracts professionals, dual-income families, and empty-nesters who prioritize strong schools, short commutes, and abundant green space over ultra-low housing costs. The median home value of $353,600 and median rent of $1,674 reflect a market that is notably more affordable than Dallas proper or neighboring Plano, yet pricier than outlying towns like Lewisville or The Colony.
How housing costs and affordability compare to nearby Dallas suburbs
Carrollton’s housing market sits in a sweet spot: cheaper than the high-end suburbs of Southlake or Coppell, but more expensive than working-class cities like Farmers Branch. The median home value of $353,600 is roughly 15 percent below Plano’s median and about 25 percent below Frisco’s, making it a value play for buyers who want access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex without paying top-tier prices. Renters face a median of $1,674 per month, which is competitive with Addison and Richardson but significantly lower than Uptown Dallas. Property taxes in Texas are high—typically 2.5 to 3.0 percent of assessed value—but Carrollton’s overall cost-of-living index of 137 is driven more by housing than by utilities or groceries, which track closer to the national average. The average commute of 24.2 minutes is shorter than the DFW regional average of 28 minutes, thanks to the city’s position along Interstates 35E and 635 and the DART light-rail Green Line, which connects residents directly to downtown Dallas in about 35 minutes.
What daily life is like for families: schools, parks, and local amenities
Daily life in Carrollton revolves around its highly rated public schools—primarily the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD), which serves most of the city, with small portions zoned to Dallas ISD and Lewisville ISD. CFBISD operates 38 campuses and consistently earns an A rating from the Texas Education Agency, with standout high schools like Creekview and R.L. Turner offering robust Advanced Placement and dual-credit programs. The city maintains over 40 parks and 60 miles of hike-and-bike trails, including the 200-acre Wagon Wheel Park and the Elm Fork Nature Preserve, which provide year-round recreation for families. The historic downtown district along the Trinity River Greenbelt hosts a weekly farmers market, seasonal concerts, and the popular Carrollton Main Street Festival. For shopping and dining, the city is anchored by the 1.2-million-square-foot Vista Ridge Mall (redeveloped as a mixed-use center) and a dense corridor of restaurants along Belt Line Road, ranging from Korean barbecue to Tex-Mex. The rhythm of life is distinctly suburban: school drop-offs, weekend soccer games, and evening walks on the trails dominate, with Dallas nightlife a 20-minute drive away.
Carrollton is best suited for families and professionals who want a safe, well-maintained suburb with strong schools and a reasonable commute to Dallas or the Telecom Corridor. Empty-nesters downsizing from larger homes in Plano or Frisco will find the housing stock—heavy on 1970s-1990s ranch-style and two-story homes—more affordable and less frenetic. Singles and young couples may find the social scene limited compared to Addison or Uptown, but the combination of low crime rates, top-tier schools, and a 24-minute average commute makes Carrollton a pragmatic choice for anyone prioritizing stability and value over urban energy.
Crime in Carrollton, TX
Lower crime rates than 82% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Carrollton, Texas, reports a violent crime rate of 95.7 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 994.1 per 100,000, placing it well below national averages for both categories. This Dallas-Fort Worth suburb benefits from a relatively low incidence of serious offenses, though residents should remain aware of property-related risks like theft and vehicle break-ins. The city’s overall safety profile is strong for a metro-area community, but local policing and prosecutorial policies play a key role in maintaining that standing.
Crime in context
Carrollton’s violent crime rate of 95.7 per 100,000 is roughly 73% lower than the national average of about 370 per 100,000 and significantly below the Texas state average of approximately 440 per 100,000. Property crime in Carrollton, at 994.1 per 100,000, is also lower than the national figure of roughly 1,950 per 100,000 and the Texas average near 2,200 per 100,000. These numbers place Carrollton among the safer suburbs in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. However, as part of a large metropolitan area, Carrollton is subject to the broader criminal justice environment of Dallas County. Progressive district attorneys and judges in the region have adopted policies such as reduced bail requirements and diversion programs for repeat offenders, which critics argue lead to higher recidivism and more criminals on the street. This ideological approach can undermine the deterrent effect of prosecution and negatively impact public safety, even in a city with otherwise low crime rates.
What residents experience
For daily life in Carrollton, the most common safety concerns revolve around property crime. Residents report occasional incidents of package theft from porches, vehicle burglaries in apartment complexes, and shoplifting at retail centers like the Carrollton Town Center. Violent crime is rare but not absent, with isolated incidents of assault or robbery occurring near late-night entertainment venues or transit hubs. The city’s police department maintains a visible presence through community policing initiatives and a dedicated crime prevention unit. Still, the broader context matters: Dallas County’s progressive justice policies mean that offenders arrested in Carrollton may face lenient sentencing or early release, potentially increasing the likelihood of repeat offenses. Residents should factor this regional dynamic into their safety assessment, as it can erode the benefits of local law enforcement efforts.
Neighborhood-level variation in Carrollton is notable. Areas west of Interstate 35E, particularly around the historic downtown and older residential districts, tend to see slightly higher property crime rates due to denser housing and more commercial activity. In contrast, newer subdivisions in the northern and eastern parts of the city, such as those near the Trinity Mills corridor, report fewer incidents. Apartment complexes near the DART rail stations have occasionally experienced elevated theft and nuisance crimes, linked to transit-accessible populations. Prospective residents should review block-level crime maps and consider proximity to transit hubs when choosing a neighborhood, as these factors can meaningfully affect day-to-day safety.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-22T01:57:23.000Z
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