# Living in Van Alstyne, TX: Realust Score 76

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

URL: https://realust.com/city/van-alstyne/
County: Collin
Realust Score: 76/100 (B, Good), tied for #46 of 84. Base 76 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 74, Schools 86, Safety 86, Lifestyle 50, Market 75, Affordability 79, Commute 63, Growth 83
Median home price: $424K
Population: 5,952
Market momentum: Strong growth (home prices -3.0% over 1 year, +13.3% over 5 years)

Van Alstyne, TX is a growing small city with a historic downtown, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a mix of rural acreage and newer subdivisions—offering more local services and commuter convenience than many nearby towns while still retaining a small-town feel. Van Alstyne blends a walkable historic core with expanding residential areas and light commercial growth; you’ll find local shops, restaurants, and basic services in town so everyday errands often stay local rather than requiring a trip to larger cities. Housing ranges from older ranch properties and hobby-acreage to planned subdivisions appealing to commuters and families; lot sizes and prices still tend to be more affordable than metro suburbs closer to Dallas. Commuting to Plano, McKinney, or Dallas is feasible via U.S. and state highways, though rush-hour travel times increase as growth continues. Schools and community activities are a focal point for residents, and municipal utilities are more consistent than in purely rural towns—but verify water, sewer, and school-district boundaries for any specific address. The tradeoff is that you get more in-town amenities and a friendlier commute than many rural Collin County towns, at the cost of ongoing development pressure and changing traffic patterns as the area grows.

Strengths:
- Affordable, family-friendly housing – Homes tend to be more affordable than closer-in North Dallas suburbs, with options ranging from historic homes to new builds.
- Excellent schools – Van Alstyne ISD’s strong reputation is a major draw, especially for families.
- Good balance of convenience – Easy access to US-75 and State Highway 5 makes commuting to McKinney or Dallas feasible while keeping a rural-suburban feel.

Trade-offs:
- Limited retail and entertainment – Beyond local shops and eateries, many residents drive to McKinney, Sherman, or Dallas for big-city amenities.
- Traffic growth with population increase – As the population expands, road congestion — especially near US-75 — can increase.
- Car-dependent lifestyle – Public transit is minimal; most residents rely on personal vehicles.

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 5,952; People per sq mile 1,072; 5-Year Growth +52.4%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 15.1%; Same Home 1+ Year 84.9%; From Out of State 0.2%; From Different County 8.5%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 31.1%; 25-34 12.0%; 35-44 16.9%; 65+ 18.3%; Median Age 36.4 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 2.8; Family Households 78.3%; Homeownership Rate 75.4%; With Kids 43.6%; Married 54.0%; Single Parent 14.8%; Living Alone 20.0%; Seniors Alone 14.0%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 93.1%; Bachelor's+ 37.7%; Graduate Degree 7.5%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 95.5%; Have Computer 96.3%; Work From Home 23.7%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $217; Starter Home $396,990; Median Price $423,856; Premium Home $654,025
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change -3%; 5-Year Change +13.3%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 104; Median Days on Market 90; Under Contract 40.2%; Price Reduced 10.5%; Sale-to-List Ratio 98.4%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Rent $3/mo; Seller's market 1.5 mo; Rental Yield 6.6%; Income to Buy 4.1x; vs Region Avg -4%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 89; Family Fit 60; Investment 100
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 2,519; Beds 3.8; Baths 3; Lot Sq Ft 100,678; Year Built 2018; Garage 2.1-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 97%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Pool 2%; Garage 95.5%; Single Story 43.5%; Fireplace 19.5%; Central Air 22.5%; Waterfront 0.5%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $2,348; Median Rent $2,345; Avg HOA Fee $55/mo; Have HOA 16.5%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 0%; New Construction 80.5%; Per Bedroom $117,693
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 35; Parks 11; Gyms 6; Coffee 5; Bars 6; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 1; Pharmacies 1; Dentists 3; Libraries 1; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 1
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 31; Bike Score 45
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 55° / 37°; April 73° / 54°; July 93° / 76°; October 76° / 57°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 216; Rainy Days/Year 149; Annual Rainfall 53.9"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Violent crime (per 1,000) 1.34; Property crime (per 1,000) 5.71
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Murder 0
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $102,469; Average Household $124,161; Per Capita $43,592
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 0.6%; Job Growth (1 yr) +6.6%; Poverty Rate 7.0%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 29.6%; $100k-$150k 22.3%; $75k-$100k 9.1%; $50k-$75k 15.6%; $25k-$50k 20.5%; Under $25k 3.0%
- Education / School District: Primary district Van Alstyne ISD; District Grade A; State Ranking Top 12%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 2; Middle 2; High School 1
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 14.2:1
- Transportation / Mobility Scores: Walk Score 31; Bike Score 45
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 31; Drive Alone 61.5%; Carpool 7.4%; Work from Home 23.7%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 48.9 mi; DFW Airport 50.3 mi; Love Field 51.2 mi
- 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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