Stretch Your Money

This is where you'll find the most affordable homes in Dallas-Fort Worth

Priced out of Dallas-Fort Worth? Try Grand Prairie.

Photo courtesy of Grand Prairie Main Street

Feeling a pinch when you pay the mortgage on your Dallas-Fort Worth home? It's not your imagination — Zillow recently calculated that a house payment in DFW takes a 12.6 percent chunk out of residents' income.

Surprisingly, that's less than the 16.1 percent you'll fork over in Lewisville, DFW's most cost-burdened city. But even in this expensive market you can still find pockets of affordability, if you're willing to put up with a few predictable trade-offs, such as fewer amenities and longer commutes.

Zillow determined that the metro-level mortgage burden for the United States as a whole is 14.6 percent, which makes DFW's 12.6 percent and its famous "low cost of living" even sweeter. But if you're looking to be even gentler on your bank account, consider driving a few miles out to Grand Prairie, which emerges as the local pocket with the smallest mortgage burden, at only 10.6 percent.

A good portion of the study focuses on the seemingly out-of-control West Coast markets, where mortgage payments can eat up as much as 75 percent of a homeowner's paycheck (our condolences, Palo Alto). But it all illustrates how hot spots within popular housing markets have caused runaway housing costs that place significant burdens on the people who live and work there, even as the cities next door remain more affordable.

"The Bay Area and other expensive West Coast markets get a lot of attention for being unaffordable, but even they have some areas where the share of income spent on housing is relatively low," says Zillow chief economist Dr. Svenja Gudell. "Of course, buyers have to be willing to make some trade-offs to live in more affordable cities within the metro. Some cities in the most in-demand housing markets across the country have such a high housing burden that they are simply not feasible for buyers with lower incomes. If income growth doesn't keep pace with home value growth, especially as mortgage rates rise, inequality will persist."

The other Texas cities in the study all fall below the national mortgage burden, except for Austin proper and its costly 20.3 percent. That's pretty close to Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim's affordable Lancaster (18.5 percent), which is only a "short" 70 miles from pricey (66.1 percent) Santa Monica. Trade-offs, remember?

reports zillow

HAUTE PROPERTIES

Texas Hill Country ranch tied to George Strait lists for $19.5 million

Lone Woman Ranch, the Hill Country estate where country stars like George Strait, George Jones, and the Ace in the Hole Band rehearsed, is up for sale for $19.5 million.

Located on 675 acres in Hays County, just south of Austin, the secluded ranch once served as an artistic getaway for emerging Texas artists. The property, listed by Republic Ranches, is named after the nearby Lone Woman Mountain, and its elevation provides an incredible view of the county. On a clear day, you can see all the way to downtown Austin.

The land comes with two residences, both built near the entrance gate. The primary stone house has original hardwood floors, a recently remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system. The secondary residence was used as a rehearsal space. Both have had long-term residents who made improvements, and both have their own septic systems, wells, and electric meters.

The real appeal of Lone Woman Ranch, however, is the extensive woods, creeks, and natural setting. It is situated next to 6,000 acres of conservation land, including Storm Ranch.

Two fully stocked ponds — a 4-acre and a 1-acre — are located onsite. Runoff from the larger pond creates picturesque seasonal limestone waterfalls. The surrounding woods are full of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, doves, and more, and the property is under wildlife exemption.

The entire mountain is included in the property, making it a veritable mini-kingdom for the owner, with unobstructed privacy on three sides. A network of ranch roads provides access throughout the property, including most of the way up Lone Woman Mountain, giving views around every corner.

It's little wonder the ranch was a muse to so many country musicians. But only Strait can tell you whether his 1996 hit "King of the Mountain" was inspired by the ranch.

Photo courtesy of Republic Ranches

Lone Woman Ranch has ties to country music stars.

ranches hill country hays county celebrities george strait george jones listings

Stretch Your Money

This is where you'll find the most affordable homes in Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas stars as one of the 10 best cities for filmmakers in 2026

Grocery giant Tom Thumb to open newest store in Dallas-Fort Worth

3 Dallas eateries make Texas Monthly's 2026 best new restaurants list

HAUTE PROPERTIES

Texas Hill Country ranch tied to George Strait lists for $19.5 million