Mansfield vs. Waxahachie vs. Midlothian: The Honest Comparison for 2026
Relocating to South DFW? Skip the generic "best places to live" listicles. This is an honest comparison from a local realtor who lives here. Every suburb has trade-offs. I'll tell you what they are.
Quick Comparison: All 6 Cities
| City | Median Price | Schools | Dallas Distance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield | $470K | B (20 A-rated campuses) | 25 mi | Families, schools |
| Midlothian | $460K | A- | 28 mi | New construction |
| Waxahachie | $375K | B+ | 35 mi | Value, character |
| Cedar Hill | $315K (Lowest) | B | 22 mi (Closest) | Outdoors, lakes |
| Burleson | $305-330K | B+ | 30+ mi | Fort Worth commute |
| Red Oak | $375K | C | 21 mi (Closest) | Budget + Dallas access |
#1 Best for Families: Mansfield
If schools are your top priority, Mansfield wins. Mansfield ISD has 20 campuses with A ratings from TEA. The Frontier STEM Academy is ranked #1 in Texas. The city has 1,100 acres of parkland and low crime rates. Community events like the Pickle Parade draw crowds every year.
Best For
- Top-rated schools
- Family-oriented community
- Parks and recreation
- Master-planned communities
Trade-offs
- Highest prices in South DFW
- 45+ min Dallas commute
- 2.3% property tax
- Limited nightlife
Skip Mansfield if: You commute daily to Dallas (45+ min), have a budget under $400K, or need new construction inventory.
Explore Mansfield homes →#2 Best for New Construction: Midlothian
Midlothian is where builders are building. 50+ communities actively under construction means you have options from townhomes to custom lots. If you want a brand-new home with modern floor plans and community amenities, Midlothian has more inventory than anywhere else in South DFW.
Best For
- New construction variety
- Builder incentives
- Modern amenities
- Remote workers
Trade-offs
- Constant construction
- Limited retail/dining
- 28 mi to Dallas
- Not established yet
Skip Midlothian if: You want established neighborhoods with mature trees, dislike ongoing construction, or need walkable retail nearby.
Explore Midlothian homes →#3 Best for Value + Character: Waxahachie
Waxahachie has five National Register Historic Districts with Queen Anne and Folk Victorian homes. The downtown square is walkable with local restaurants. The Ellis County Courthouse has appeared in films like "Places in the Heart." Median prices run $100K below Mansfield.
Best For
- Historic character homes
- Walkable downtown
- Lower prices
- Small-town community
Trade-offs
- 35+ min Dallas commute
- Fewer new construction options
- Older infrastructure
- Limited chain amenities
Skip Waxahachie if: You need a short Dallas commute (35+ mi), want brand-new construction, or prefer big-box retail nearby.
Explore Waxahachie homes →#4 Best for Outdoors: Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill State Park and Joe Pool Lake offer outdoor recreation that most DFW suburbs can't match. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping minutes from your door. Plus, it's the closest South DFW suburb to Dallas at just 22 miles. The trade-off? Older housing stock and B-rated schools.
Best For
- Lake and park access
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Lowest prices
- Closest to Dallas
Trade-offs
- Older housing stock
- B-rated schools
- Less new construction
- Fewer amenities
Skip Cedar Hill if: School ratings are your top priority (B-rated), you want new construction, or you need master-planned amenities.
Explore Cedar Hill homes →#5 Best for Fort Worth Commute: Burleson
If you work in Fort Worth, Burleson makes sense. It's 15 miles to downtown Fort Worth vs 30+ miles to Dallas. Crime rates are below state and national averages. 93% of residents rated the city "excellent" or "good" in the 2024 survey.
Best For
- Fort Worth commuters
- Small-town atmosphere
- Low crime
- Affordable prices
Trade-offs
- 30+ mi to Dallas
- Limited new construction
- Fewer master-planned amenities
- Less urban access
Skip Burleson if: You work in Dallas (30+ mi commute), want new master-planned communities, or need top-rated schools.
Explore Burleson homes →#6 Best for Budget + Dallas Access: Red Oak
Red Oak has the shortest Dallas commute in Ellis County at 21 miles. Money Magazine rates it among the best places to raise a family due to low crime and affordability. Population grew 13% from 2021-2023, bringing new restaurants and amenities. The catch? Schools are C-rated by TEA.
Best For
- Shortest Dallas commute
- Budget-friendly prices
- Growing amenities
- Low crime
Trade-offs
- C-rated schools
- Limited dining/entertainment
- Still developing
- Fewer established neighborhoods
Skip Red Oak if: School ratings matter most to you (C-rated), you want established dining and entertainment, or prefer mature neighborhoods.
Explore Red Oak homes →Frequently Asked Questions
Which South DFW suburb is best for relocating families?
What is the cheapest suburb in South DFW?
Which South DFW suburb has the best schools?
How far are South DFW suburbs from Dallas?
Moving to South DFW?
I live here. I know every neighborhood at a street-by-street level.