Southlake and Plano are two of the most popular suburbs in the Dallas area. Both have their pros and cons, so which one is better for you? Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of each community to help you decide.
Plano and Southlake are two very different cities when it comes to size and population density. If you're looking for a little more space and a slower pace of life, Southlake may be the place for you. With a population of just 32,000, it's one of the smaller cities in the area. And with a population density of just 1,475 people per square mile, it's also one of the most spacious. In contrast, Plano is a bustling metropolis with a population of 291,000. That works out to a population density of 4,054 people per square mile - almost three times as dense as Southlake. When it comes to homes for sale, you'll find plenty of options in both cities. However, in Southlake almost half of the homes for sale have at least 1/2 an acre of land - something that's much harder to find in densely-populated Plano. So if you're looking for a city with a little more room to breathe, Southlake may be the place for you.
When comparing the cost of living in Plano and Southlake, there are a few factors to consider. According to bestplaces.net, the overall cost of living in Plano is 36% less than Southlake. This is primarily due to the difference in housing costs, as the median sales price for a home in Plano is $574,000, while the median sales price for a home in Southlake is $1.42 million. The average sold price per square foot is also significantly lower in Plano ($231) than Southlake ($375). However, it's important to note that the cost of groceries and transportation are also lower in Plano than Southlake. This is likely due to the fact that Plano has access to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, which makes public transportation more accessible and affordable. Overall, the biggest factor influencing the cost of living between these two cities is housing and Plano is definitely the more affordable of the two.
When it comes to jobs and commuting, there are pros and cons to both Plano and Southlake. Plano isn't centrally located, but it is close to Dallas, with a 23-minute commute. Southlake has a great central location, situated 30 minutes from both downtown Dallas and Fort Worth. So there's no real winner or loser here - it just depends on where you need to be. Plano has a lot of highways surrounding and running through the city, including 121 which borders the north of the city, GW Bush which borders the south of the city, and 75 and the tollway which run north-south. Plano also has public transportation options, while Southlake only has highway 114. If you're looking for a place to work and live in the same city, then Plano has the definite advantage, with corporate headquarters for companies like Frito Lay and Toyota. However, if you're looking to commute to both Dallas and Fort Worth, Southlake might be the better option.
So, which city is the better fit for you? Let me know in the comments section. If you’re still not sure, that’s okay! We can help you figure it out. Contact us today and we’ll set up a time for you to come visit both cities and see for yourself what they have to offer. Thanks for reading!