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Dallas County · TX

Pros and cons of moving to Farmers Branch

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The pros and cons of moving to Farmers Branch come from its size and location. It is a small, central Dallas County city with rail and short commutes, and you plan around property taxes, older housing and North Texas weather. Here is a balanced list.

Pro: How central is Farmers Branch?

I-35E, the Dallas North Tollway and I-635 frame the city, with office corridors along all three. The average commute is about 22 minutes, shorter than Dallas's roughly 26.

Pro: Is there rail service?

The DART Green Line stops at Farmers Branch Station, with trains through downtown Dallas. The DART Silver Line links nearby Addison and Carrollton with DFW Airport.

Pro: What parks and public places are there?

The 27-acre Historical Park has buildings from 1840 to 1940 and free admission. The city also keeps rose gardens, an aquatics center, a skate park, a dog park and trails.

Pro: Is it easy to get to know?

At about 12 square miles, Farmers Branch is small enough to tour in a day. Start with Farmers Branch homes for sale.

Pro: Does Texas tax my income?

No. Texas has no personal income tax, so plan around property and sales taxes instead.

Con: How high are property taxes?

For tax year 2025, a home in the city and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD faced about $2.03 per $100 of value before exemptions. See property taxes in Farmers Branch.

Con: Will an older home need updates?

Much of the housing dates from the city's 1950s and 1960s growth. Budget for roof, plumbing, electrical and foundation work, and ask about city residential programs such as the Neighborhood Partnership Program.

Con: Are newer homes limited?

New construction is concentrated in Mercer Crossing, which carries a PID assessment in addition to property taxes. Ask for the amount and remaining term.

Con: How hot and stormy does it get?

Highs often reach 100 degrees in July and August. North and Central Texas average 26 tornadoes a year, and hail is a common roof risk.

Con: Will I pay tolls?

If you use the tollway or the Bush Turnpike, yes. Drivers without a TollTag pay twice the TollTag rate. I-35E and I-635 offer toll-free routes for many trips.

Common questions

What are the downsides of living in Farmers Branch?

The main trade-offs are property taxes, older homes that may need updates, limited new construction outside Mercer Crossing, and North Texas heat and hail.

What are the upsides of living in Farmers Branch?

Farmers Branch is central, has a DART Green Line station and short average commutes, offers parks like the Historical Park and rose gardens, and Texas has no income tax.

Is Farmers Branch close to Dallas?

Yes. It borders Dallas, and the DART Green Line runs from Farmers Branch Station through downtown Dallas.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Dallas, Irving, Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Lewisville cities, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Farmers Branch, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Trash & Recycling, City of Farmers Branch (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Site map (parks, programs, emergency management), City of Farmers Branch (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Farmers Branch Historical Park, City of Farmers Branch (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Get Informed: Branch Alert and outdoor warning sirens, City of Farmers Branch (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Mercer Crossing Public Improvement District, City of Farmers Branch (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Neighborhood Partnership Program, City of Farmers Branch (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Dallas ISD: Enroll / Find Your School, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Texas School Report Cards (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  12. DART Rail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Silver Line Regional Rail Project, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  14. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Special Purpose Districts, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Notice to Purchaser of Special Taxing or Assessment District (TREC 59-0), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Dallas Central Appraisal District, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Homestead Exemption Application Filing, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  21. About Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Power to Choose, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  23. 2025 Tax Rates, Dallas County Tax Office (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Texas Sales and Use Tax Rates – July 2026, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Valuing Property, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  28. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 757.002 – Application, Texas Health and Safety Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  31. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  32. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Texas Water Code Section 49.452 – Notice to Purchasers, Texas Water Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Airport Facts & Figures, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.