Is Allen, Texas a Good Place to Live?
Yes, for a lot of people. Allen is a mid-sized Collin County city between Plano and McKinney, with one public high school for most of the city, more than 100 miles of trails, and shopping at Watters Creek and Allen Premium Outlets. It fits best if you’re comfortable driving US 75 and you know which of Allen’s two zip codes fits your budget. If you need DART rail, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Want the honest tradeoffs, like the payment, US 75 traffic and the 75002 vs 75013 split? Read my Pros and Cons of Living in Allen, TX.
Where is Allen, Texas?
Allen is in Collin County, on US 75 between Plano to the south and McKinney to the north. Allen ISD describes the city as about 23 miles north of Dallas. SH 121 (the Sam Rayburn Tollway) crosses the north side of town.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates about 113,000 people live in Allen, on roughly 26 square miles of land. That makes it much smaller in area than Plano, Frisco or McKinney, which is part of why it feels like one connected city.
Who Allen tends to fit
In my experience, Allen makes the most sense if:
- Allen ISD is a big part of your plan.
- You work in Allen, Plano, Richardson or McKinney, or along US 75.
- You want trails, parks and shopping close to home.
- You’d like to compare Plano and McKinney in the same afternoon.
It’s a weaker fit if you need DART rail, a short drive to DFW Airport, or a price point well below Plano’s.
Allen’s two zip codes
Allen has two zip codes, and they really are two different searches:
- 75002: Often the more attainable part of Allen.
- 75013: Usually runs higher in price.
Using one “Allen average” for both is a common mistake. I start with the zip, then the HOA and the exact school assignment.
Getting around Allen
Allen is a driving city. US 75 (Central Expressway) is the main route south toward Plano, Richardson and Dallas, and SH 121 connects you west toward Frisco and the airport side of the Metroplex. The Census Bureau puts Allen’s average commute at about 28 minutes. Allen isn’t a DART member city, so the closest DART rail stations are in Plano.
Schools in Allen
- Allen ISD serves the majority of the city, plus parts of Parker and McKinney. The district says it has more than 21,000 students, 16 elementary schools, three middle schools, a ninth-grade freshman center and one high school, Allen High School, for grades 10 through 12.
- Plano ISD lists Allen among the cities it partly serves, so some streets near the Plano side are in PISD.
- Lovejoy ISD can serve some addresses on the far east side.
That single high school is unusual for a city this size, and it’s one of the first things people ask me about. Because the edges can belong to other districts, I always confirm the assigned campuses with the district for the exact address.
Things to do in Allen
- Watters Creek Village: A 52-acre outdoor shopping and dining district with more than 70 shops, a village green and a creek running through it.
- Allen Premium Outlets: A large outlet mall on Stacy Road.
- Credit Union of Texas Event Center: A city-owned arena with more than 7,000 seats, formerly the Allen Event Center. It hosts concerts and events and is home to the Allen Americans hockey team.
- The trail system: The city says Allen has more than 102 miles of hike and bike trails, including routes along Watters Creek and Cottonwood Creek.
What homes cost in Allen
As a rough 2026 planning range from my own market notes, 75002 closings have often sat near the low-to-mid $400,000s, while 75013 often runs from the mid-$600,000s to around $700,000.
Those are planning numbers, not a price for any one home. When you’re ready, I’ll pull recent sales for the streets you like. You can also search homes for sale in Allen any time.
Thinking about selling your Allen home?
Allen buyers compare 75002 and 75013 carefully, so your price has to match the right comparable sales. Here’s how I help Allen sellers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allen, Texas a good place to live? For many people, yes, especially if you want Allen ISD, trails and shopping close by, and you’re fine driving US 75. Pick your zip code first, since 75002 and 75013 are priced differently.
Where is Allen, Texas? In Collin County, on US 75 between Plano and McKinney, about 23 miles north of Dallas.
How many high schools does Allen have? Allen ISD has one high school, Allen High School, for grades 10 through 12, plus a separate freshman center for ninth grade.
Does Allen have DART? No. Allen isn’t a DART member city. The closest DART rail stations are in Plano.
What zip codes are in Allen, Texas? 75002 and 75013.
Let’s talk about Allen
I’m Sherien Joyner, REALTOR® and GRI with Fathom Realty. I live in Carrollton and help people buy and sell in Allen when it’s the right city. If you’re comparing Allen with Plano or McKinney, I’ll give you a straight comparison.
Call or text me at (214) 244-2421, or send me a message.
Buy homes in Allen · Sell your home in Allen · Pros and cons of living in Allen · Contact Sherien
