Big-time bucks

5 affluent Dallas-Fort Worth cities cash in among the richest in Texas

Celina catapulted from No. 14 on last year's list to No. 3 this year.

Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker

Highland Park and Celina are movin’ on up among the ranks of the wealthiest cities in Texas.

A new ranking from data provider HomeSnacks shows Highland Park climbed from No. 3 on the 2020 list of Texas’ wealthiest cities to No. 2 on this year’s list. Meanwhile, Celina catapulted 11 spots — from No. 14 to No. 3.

To come up with the ranking, HomeSnacks looked at median household income, poverty rates, and unemployment rates for Texas cities with at least 5,000 residents. Therefore, the ranking isn’t based solely on how rich a city’s residents are. Still, you’re curious about the cash, right?

In terms of household income, Highland Park boasts a median total of $211,136. Its unemployment rate is 1.4 percent and its poverty rate is 2.3 percent.

In Celina — about 40 miles north of Dallas — median household income sits at $124,375. There, the unemployment rate is 1 percent and the poverty rate is 0.7 percent.

In all, Dallas-Fort Worth claims five places among the state’s 10 wealthiest cities. Aside from Highland Park and Celina, DFW representatives on the list are Southlake (median household income of $240,248), Prosper, ($146,733), and Melissa ($118,348).

DFW’s Trophy Club (now at No. 36), Willow Park (now at No. 21), and Coppell (now at No. 11) lost their top-10 standings from last year.

Topping HomeSnacks’ statewide list — again — is the San Antonio suburb of Terrell Hills, which rings up a median household income $181,979. The unemployment rate is 1.2 percent and the poverty rate is 0.7 percent.

One of Terrell Hills’ neighbors, Alamo Heights, broke into the top 10 this year. It soared from No. 32 last year to No. 10 this year. Alamo Heights registers median household income of $141,048, a 1 percent unemployment rate, and a 4.4 percent poverty rate.

Here are the 10 wealthiest cities in Texas for 2021, as determined by HomeSnacks.

1. Terrell Hills (San Antonio)

Population: 5,371
Rank last year: 1
Median household income: $181,979
Unemployment rate: 1.2 percent
Poverty rate: 0.7 percent

2. Highland Park (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Population: 9,168
Rank last year: 3
Median household income: $211,136
Unemployment rate: 1.4 percent
Poverty rate: 2.3 percent

3. Celina (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Population: 11,116
Rank last year: 14
Median household income: $124,375
Unemployment rate: 1 percent
Poverty rate: 0.7 percent

4. Bellaire (Houston)

Population: 18,815
Rank last year: 2
Median household income: $206,734
Unemployment rate: 2 percent
Poverty rate: 2.3 percent

5. Southlake (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Population: 31,292
Rank last year: 8
Median household income: $240,248
Unemployment rate: 2.2 percent
Poverty rate: 2.5 percent

6. West University Place (Houston)

Population: 15,603
Rank last year: 5
Median household income: $250,001
Unemployment rate: 2.6 percent
Poverty rate: 1.7 percent

7. Prosper (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Population: 22,517
Rank last year: 12
Median household income: $146,733
Unemployment rate: 2.1 percent
Poverty rate: 2.4 percent

8. Fair Oaks Ranch (San Antonio)

Population: 9,944
Rank last year: 9
Median household income: $128,398
Unemployment rate: 1.8 percent
Poverty rate: 3 percent

9. Melissa (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Population: 9,487
Rank last year: 4
Median household income: $118,348
Unemployment rate: 2.2 percent
Poverty rate: 1.1 percent

10. Alamo Heights (San Antonio)

Population: 8,374
Rank last year: 32
Median household income: $141,048
Unemployment rate: 1 percent
Poverty rate: 4.4 percent

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Settling Down

Dallas named one of the 50 best places to retire in the U.S. in 2026

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Dallasites getting ready to give up the daily grind are already living in the right place for their next chapter in life. Dallas has just been named the third-best city to retire in Texas, and it lands as the 50th best city in the U.S. for retirement living, according to a new WalletHub report.

The study examined 182 U.S. cities and ranked them based on 45 "retirement-friendly" livability metrics across four categories: affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Florida dominated the top 10, with Orlando, Miami, and Tampa locking in the top three spots and Fort Lauderdale ranking eighth on the list.

Dallas fared best in the categories for "activities" and "affordability," respectively ranking 39th and 69th. The activities category analyzed attractions and entertainment venues for seniors, like the number of per capita museums, theaters, book clubs, senior centers, and bingo halls; whereas the affordability rank encompassed the local cost of living, taxpayer-friendliness, the costs for in-home services, and other factors.

Costs were a significant factor in the rankings, as many retirees live on a fixed income. Finances and affordability also play a huge part in determining where to live once it's time to put up those work boots, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said.

"As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so," he said. "In addition, the top cities provide high-quality health care and offer plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees."

Dallas fell behind in the "quality of life" (No. 119) and "health care" (No. 130) rankings, but it wasn't enough to tank the city's overall performance.

In fact, Dallas is the Metroplex's No. 1 city for retirees, with six more DFW neighbors earning spots on the list:

No. 75 – Plano
No. 78 – Fort Worth
No. 91 – Grand Prairie
No. 101 – Garland
No. 107 – Irving
No. 124 – Arlington

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin topped the list as the No. 1 best place to retire statewide, and it ranked No. 23 nationwide. San Antonio claimed the No. 2 spot statewide and was the only other Texas city to rank among the national top 50.

wallethub reports retirement dallas city life rankings