Texas has plenty of small-town living and wide-open spaces to choose from. But if you prefer more abundant choices in shopping, entertainment and amenities, you probably want to turn your attention to the state’s urban areas, like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
A big benefit of living in larger cities is access to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Larger cities allow for more networking opportunities and there tends to be a higher concentration of upward-mobility positions. (Not to mention, Texas’ lack of a state income tax is a huge plus.)
Safety, of course, is a predominant factor in considering where to live, whether this is your first home or your tenth. Texas is ranked 35th in the nation for violent crime. With that in mind, check out the 10 safest cities in Texas with a population of 50,000 or more. (And discover which smaller Texas towns are considered the safest, too.)
The Top 10 Safest Large Cities in Texas
1. Allen
- Population: 96,865
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 98.3
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,042.5
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
47.62% Below National Crime Rate
Allen is nestled just north of Dallas. This means you are only a quick Uber ride away from all the lights and action of a larger city without the traffic headaches. With so many premium outlets at your disposal, you can also take advantage of lower prices. If you want to explore your cultural side, you can visit one of Allen’s many museums.
Allen, Texas has a lot of new homes, find yours today on NewHomeSource!
2. Frisco
- Population: 155,363
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 101.8
- Non-Violent Crimes Per Capita: 1,260.4
- Most Common Crime: Property
43.53% Below National Crime Rate
Located 25 miles north of downtown Dallas, Frisco has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States for two decades, and Money magazine recognizes it as one of the top 100 places to live in the nation. It’s home to the Dallas Cowboys world headquarters as well as plenty of family-friendly activities and events. The median listing price of a home in this affluent suburb is upwards of $434,000.
If you’re looking to settle down in the DFW Area, explore new homes in Frisco.
3. League City
- Population: 98,215
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 92.1
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,335.5
- Most Common Crime: Property
30.85% Below National Crime Rate
Located in Galveston County — still within the greater Houston metro area — League City makes a great home for those wanting the city life, as well as a slice of the beach life. It offers several waterside resorts that are refreshing on those days when the temperature soars. The school system ranks in the 76th percentile nationally. Another major perk is that the University of Texas Medical Branch offers advanced health care services through its League City Campus.
Live a life you love in one of the new construction homes for sale in League City.
4. Flower Mound
- Population: 71,575
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 58.6
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 793.6
- Most Common Crime: Property
64.90% Below National Crime Rate
This suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth derived its name from a 12.5-acre mound covered in flowers. Flower Mound ranks in the top 10 percent of the best cities in the nation; its schools boast a test score average of 88 percent. The median home listing price begins at around $400,000, and houses are appreciating rapidly.
5. McKinney
- Population: 166,740
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 148.4
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,092.1
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
53.41% Below National Crime Rate
McKinney is one of the oldest north-central Texas towns, where you can choose a quaint Victorian home or a sprawling Texas-sized five-bedroom residence. Located 30 miles north of Dallas, it’s home to the Landon Winery and the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. McKinney is becoming one of the state’s fastest-growing economies due to the presence of manufacturing and tech companies. The top employers include Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems and Globe Life Insurance.
Find your McKinney dream home on NewHomeSource today.
6. Carrollton
- Population: 131,240
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 122.2
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,244.3
- Most Common Crime: Property
28.03% Below National Crime Rate
Carrollton is the 23rd most populous city in the state and offers a suburban feel, with the median home tagged at a price of about $175,000. This dynamic city holds 9,000 businesses and is a quick 25-minute trip to Dallas.
Invest in a life you love when you buy a new home for sale in Carrollton, TX.
7. Plano
- Population: 281,566
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 149.8
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,366.3
- Most Common Crime: Property
28.05% Below National Crime Rate
Plano is a great choice just for its 700-plus restaurants — or for a great job. This city has a high median income and the job market is booming, as the city serves as headquarters for a number of major corporations, including Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay and Toyota Motor North America. Residents have access to 81 acute-care hospitals and 84 parks that have interconnecting bike trails. Plano, which is anything but plain, is a great place to retire as well; in 2017, it was ranked in the top 10.
Start your journey to homeownership with NewHomeSource, and find your Plano dream home.
8. Richardson
- Population: 281,566
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 166.6
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,482.4
- Most Common Crime: Property
13.42% Below National Crime Rate
Richardson is an inner suburb about 20 miles northeast of Dallas. The median home value is just over $200,000, and it has a lot of affordable new homes, and the majority of the population is married. Looking for a place to retire? Consider this charming city — it’s rated one of the top five retirement spots in Texas. Richardson is home to the University of Texas at Dallas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as well as another 5,000 businesses. GEICO also has a regional hub nestled here.
9. Round Rock
- Population: 128,739
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 120.9
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,686.6
- Most Common Crime: Property
19.04% Below National Crime Rate
Round Rock is located in central Texas, about 15 miles north of Austin, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. In a 2018 survey of city residents, 90 percent said they felt “safe” or “very safe.” Round Rock has been known for its excellent schools for more than 150 years, and property taxes are among the lowest in the region, making it a great city for people looking to buy new homes. The majority of the population is well educated, possessing some type of college degree. It’s also home to the Round Rock Express minor league baseball team that plays at Dell Diamond.
10. Sugar Land
- Population: 89,790
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 91.2
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,432.4
- Most Common Crime: Property
29.90% Below National Crime Rate
Sugar Land derived its enchanting name from the fact that once upon a time, it was a sugar plantation. It is now the headquarters of Imperial Sugar. About 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston, Sugar Land is known as a great winter vacation spot and is host to many events and annual festivities and fairs. The median home value in this affluent town is almost $300,000, and it has numerous new homes for sale. The average school test score is almost at 90 percent, making this city a “sweet spot” to raise a family.
All data are taken from FBI U.S. crime statistics.
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Heather Allen is a freelance writer who began her career 20 years ago at a small Texas NBC affiliate, while attending SFASU. She’s written blogs on a diverse range of topics.
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