How Far Apart Are South DFW Suburbs? Miles, Schools and Prices for 6 Cities
Quick Comparison: All 6 Cities
| City | Median Price | Schools (TEA) | Dallas Distance | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield | $486K | B (all 8 high schools A) | 32 mi | Parks, trails |
| Midlothian | $476K | B | 25 mi | New construction |
| Waxahachie | $400K | B | 30 mi | Value, character |
| Cedar Hill | $320K (Lowest) | C | 17 mi (Closest) | Outdoors, lakes |
| Burleson | $335K | B | 46 mi | Fort Worth commute |
| Red Oak | $368K | C | 20 mi | Budget + Dallas access |
Ratings: the latest TEA Accountability ratings. Ratings checked October 23, 2026.
Mansfield: MISD Schools & Parks
If schools are your top priority, Mansfield wins. Mansfield ISD has 20 A-rated K-12 campuses (TEA 2025-26), including all 8 high schools. The Frontier STEM Academy is ranked #1 in Texas. The city has 1,100 acres of parkland and community events like the Pickle Parade draw crowds every year. See the full Mansfield guide for neighborhood breakdowns and current pricing.
Strengths
- MISD: 20 A-rated K-12 campuses (TEA 2025-26)
- Active community events
- Parks and recreation
- Master-planned communities
Trade-offs
- Highest prices in South DFW
- About 32 road miles to Dallas City Hall
- About $2.25 per $100 combined property tax rate (Tarrant County side, 2026)
- Limited nightlife
Consider other cities if: You commute daily to Dallas (about 32 miles), have a budget under $400K, or need new construction inventory.
View Mansfield Buyer's Guide → New Construction in Mansfield →
Midlothian: New Construction Hub
Midlothian is where much of the new building is happening, with communities under construction across the city and options from townhomes to custom lots. If you want a brand-new home, Midlothian’s master-planned communities, such as BridgeWater, Redden Farms and Goodland, are a good place to start.
Strengths
- New construction variety
- Builder incentives
- Modern amenities
- Remote workers
Trade-offs
- Constant construction
- Limited retail/dining
- About 25 road miles to Dallas City Hall
- Not established yet
Consider other cities if: You want established neighborhoods with mature trees, dislike ongoing construction, or need walkable retail nearby.
View Midlothian Buyer's Guide →Waxahachie: Value + Historic Character
Waxahachie has six National Register historic districts with Queen Anne-style homes and a downtown square with local restaurants, and its median sale price runs about $86K below Mansfield's.
Strengths
- Historic character homes
- Walkable downtown
- Lower prices
- Small-town community
Trade-offs
- 35+ min Dallas commute
- Older infrastructure
- Limited chain amenities
Consider other cities if: You need a short Dallas commute (about 30 road miles) or prefer big-box retail nearby.
View Waxahachie Buyer's Guide →Not Sure Which Suburb Fits Your Budget?
A local agent who covers all 6 cities can help you compare in person. Book a free consultation to narrow down your search.
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Pick any two cities to compare prices, schools, commutes, and lifestyle side by side.
Data: Redfin, the latest TEA ratings. Ratings checked October 23, 2026.
Cedar Hill: Outdoors & Lake Access
Cedar Hill State Park and Joe Pool Lake put serious outdoor recreation minutes from your door. It is also the closest South DFW suburb to Dallas, about 17 road miles from Dallas City Hall. The trade-off: older housing stock and C-rated schools (TEA 2025-26).
Strengths
- Lake and park access
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Lowest prices
- Closest to Dallas
Trade-offs
- Older housing stock
- C-rated schools
- Less new construction
- Fewer amenities
Consider other cities if: You prioritize higher-rated school districts, want new construction, or need master-planned amenities.
View Cedar Hill Buyer's Guide →
Burleson: Fort Worth Commute
If you work in Fort Worth, Burleson makes sense. It's about 15 road miles to Fort Worth City Hall and 46 to Dallas City Hall. 93% of residents rated the city "excellent" or "good" in the 2024 survey.
Strengths
- Fort Worth commuters
- Small-town atmosphere
- High resident satisfaction (93%)
- Affordable prices
Trade-offs
- 30+ mi to Dallas
- Limited new construction
- Fewer master-planned amenities
- Less urban access
Consider other cities if: You work in Dallas (30+ mi commute), want new master-planned communities, or prioritize higher-rated school districts.
View Burleson Buyer's Guide →Red Oak: Budget + Dallas Access
Red Oak is the closest of the Ellis County cities on this page to Dallas, about 20 road miles from Dallas City Hall. Its population grew from 14,222 in 2020 to 20,394 in 2025, a 43% increase (Census), though Red Oak ISD is C-rated by TEA.
Strengths
- Closest Ellis County city on this page to Dallas
- Budget-friendly prices
- Growing amenities
- Rapid population growth
Trade-offs
- C-rated schools
- Limited dining/entertainment
- Still developing
- Fewer established neighborhoods
Consider other cities if: You prioritize higher-rated school districts, want established dining and entertainment, or prefer mature neighborhoods.
View Red Oak Buyer's Guide →
School Districts: TEA Ratings Compared
District-level grades don't tell the whole story, since some C-rated districts have individual A-rated campuses, and a B-rated district like Mansfield ISD has 20 A-rated K-12 campuses. Use the tool below to compare any two districts side by side.
Select two districts to see the latest TEA ratings, campus breakdowns, and key differences.
Data: TEA Accountability Ratings via txschools.gov. Refreshed August 2026 for Mansfield, Midlothian, Waxahachie, Burleson, and Cedar Hill.
For a deep dive into every Mansfield ISD campus, see our Mansfield ISD Schools Guide.
How Far Apart Are These Cities?
Road miles and no-traffic drive times between city halls, from OpenStreetMap routing, checked October 23, 2026. Rush hour adds time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I consider when choosing a South DFW suburb?
It depends on your priorities. Mansfield ISD has the most A-rated campuses, including all 8 high schools, and Midlothian ISD has the highest district score (B, 89). Waxahachie’s median sale price is about $86K below Mansfield’s. Midlothian has several large master-planned communities. Cedar Hill has state park and lake access. Burleson is closest to Fort Worth. Cedar Hill is the closest to Dallas, and Red Oak is the closest of the Ellis County cities here. The detailed breakdowns for each city are above.
What is the cheapest suburb in South DFW?
Cedar Hill has the lowest median sale price at $320K (three months ending September 2026), followed by Burleson at $335K. The trade-offs: Cedar Hill has older housing stock, Red Oak has C-rated schools, and Burleson is 46 road miles from Dallas City Hall.
Which South DFW suburb has the highest-rated TEA schools?
Midlothian ISD has the highest district score (B, 89). Mansfield ISD (B, 87) has the most A-rated campuses, including all 8 high schools, and Frontier STEM Academy is ranked #1 high school in Texas by SchoolDigger.
How far are South DFW suburbs from Dallas?
Road miles from each city hall to Dallas City Hall: Cedar Hill 17, Red Oak 20, Midlothian 25, Waxahachie 30, Mansfield 32 and Burleson 46. With no traffic those drives take about 22 to 54 minutes; rush hour adds more.
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