# Living in Highland Park, TX: Realust Score 94

> Source: Realust (realust.com), data as of October 2026. Cite: https://realust.com/city/highland-park/

URL: https://realust.com/city/highland-park/
County: Dallas
Realust Score: 94/100 (A+, Exceptional), tied for #3 of 84. Base 79 + price-tier bonus 15.
Category scores: Prosperity 100, Schools 82, Safety 67, Lifestyle 89, Market 66, Affordability 30, Commute 78, Growth 54
Median home price: $3.04M
Population: 8,773
Market momentum: Growing (home prices +6.8% over 1 year, +65.8% over 5 years)

Highland Park offers absolute pinnacle prestige and generational wealth concentration as Dallas's most exclusive enclave, attracting established affluent families, high-net-worth professionals, and legacy residents seeking unmatched schools, meticulously maintained estates, and the social cachet of Texas's most famous zip codes. This legendary town of approximately 9,000 residents sits completely surrounded by Dallas just north of downtown, featuring tree-lined boulevards with Spanish Colonial and Georgian mansions, immaculate landscaping enforced by strict codes, and the kind of old-money atmosphere where multi-million dollar properties are standard and true luxury begins well above that baseline. The housing market commands premium pricing reflecting Highland Park ISD's reputation as Texas's top-performing public school district, with families paying substantial premiums simply for the address and educational access, while the community maintains exclusivity through high property values, architectural review processes, and unspoken social networks built through country clubs, private schools, and multi-generational connections. Shopping and dining center on Highland Park Village, the nation's first self-contained shopping center featuring Hermès, Dior, and upscale restaurants in Spanish Renaissance architecture, while proximity to SMU, Uptown, and downtown provides cultural access and employment convenience. The town maintains its own police, fire, and municipal services ensuring rapid response times and pristine infrastructure, while parks and facilities cater to residents expecting perfection in every detail. It's perfect for executives and entrepreneurs requiring top-tier schools and prestigious addresses for business credibility, wealthy families prioritizing educational excellence and social positioning for children, and established professionals seeking the security and status of Dallas's most protected enclave.

Strengths:
- Exceptional schools – Major draw for families seeking top education
- Safe, well-maintained neighborhoods – Low crime and meticulously landscaped streets
- Walkability & community feel – Parks, shopping, and social hubs are accessible by foot
- Upscale amenities – Private clubs, fine dining, and boutique shopping nearby

Trade-offs:
- Extremely high cost of living – Homes are among the most expensive in DFW
- Traffic in adjacent areas – Busy roads during commuting hours can impact access
- Highly competitive real estate market – Homes sell fast; buying can be challenging
- Focused more on family and social clubs than bars or late-night venues

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 8,773; People per sq mile 3,911; 5-Year Growth -4.3%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 10.9%; Same Home 1+ Year 89.1%; From Out of State 1.9%; From Different County 0.4%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 25.5%; 25-34 5.1%; 35-44 12.9%; 65+ 19.7%; Median Age 44.9 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 2.7; Family Households 76.4%; Homeownership Rate 89.4%; With Kids 36.5%; Married 71.7%; Single Parent 4.0%; Living Alone 20.9%; Seniors Alone 8.7%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 99.3%; Bachelor's+ 87.9%; Graduate Degree 43.2%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 98.7%; Have Computer 99.1%; Work From Home 21.4%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $839; Starter Home $2,374,900; Median Price $3,039,555; Premium Home $21,000,000
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change +6.8%; 5-Year Change +65.8%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 106; Median Days on Market 71; Under Contract 17.8%; Sale-to-List Ratio 94.1%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Rent $11,836/mo; Balanced 4.6 mo; Rental Yield 2%; Income to Buy 12.2x; vs Region Avg +273%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 72; Family Fit 37; Investment 34
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 5,618; Beds 4.2; Baths 5.6; Lot Sq Ft 21,467; Year Built 1984
- Real Estate / Common Features: Pool 44%; Garage 88%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $16,836; Median Rent $5,000; Avg HOA Fee $977/mo; Have HOA 20%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 2.7%; Per Bedroom $1,268,594
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Dense Suburban; Family Friendly 8.7; Outdoor Activities 6; Nightlife 8.7; Health & Fitness 8.7; Diversity 4; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 60+; Parks 60+; Gyms 60+; Grocery 54; Coffee 60+; Bars 60+; Theaters 12; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 60+; Pharmacies 60+; Dentists 60+; Libraries 36; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 43
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 51; Bike Score 61
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 56° / 39°; April 74° / 55°; July 94° / 77°; October 77° / 58°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 218; Rainy Days/Year 147; Annual Rainfall 53.3"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Safety Grade B+; Violent crime (per 1,000) 0.46; Property crime (per 1,000) 24.85
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 34.46; Robbery 22.97; Murder 0; Rape 0
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 298.64; Theft 1906.73; Vehicle Theft 252.7
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $250,001; Average Household $519,460; Per Capita $195,677
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 4.5%; Job Growth (1 yr) -1.2%; Poverty Rate 7.0%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 74.4%; $100k-$150k 7.3%; $75k-$100k 3.3%; $50k-$75k 3.8%; $25k-$50k 2.8%; Under $25k 8.5%
- Education / School District: Primary district Highland Park ISD; District Grade A-; State Ranking Top 33%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 1; Middle 1; High School 1
- Education / Elementary Schools: University Park Elementary A (96); Bradfield Elementary A (96)
- Education / Middle Schools: Mcculloch Intermediate A (95)
- Education / High Schools: Highland Park High School A (96)
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 12.4:1
- Education / Graduation Rates (Class of 2024): Graduation Rate 99.1%; Dropout Rate 0.0%
- Education / College Readiness (Class of 2023): Took SAT/ACT 92%; College Ready 80.1%; TSI Ready 91.6%
- Transportation / Mobility Scores: Walk Score 51; Bike Score 61
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 20; Drive Alone 72.1%; Carpool 3.3%; Work from Home 21.4%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 4.7 mi; DFW Airport 18.9 mi; Love Field 3.6 mi
- Transportation / EV Charging: Public Stations 163; DC Fast Ports 74; Level 2 Ports 398
- Cost of Living / Cost Index (100 = National Average): Overall 101; Housing 113; Utilities 97; Groceries 100; Transportation 102; Healthcare 100
- Cost of Living / Monthly Utilities: Electric $142; Water $52; Gas $44; Internet $72
- Cost of Living / Everyday Costs: Monthly Groceries (Family of 4) $823; Gas Price (per gallon) $2.82
- Cost of Living / Taxes: Sales Tax Rate 8.3%; Property Tax Rate 2.2%

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