If you’re considering moving to North Texas, Princeton, TX deserves a serious look. Located in rapidly growing Collin County along the US 380 corridor, Princeton offers something that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find near Dallas: affordable homes, new construction, convenient access to surrounding cities, and significant new development.
Affordable Homes in Princeton, TX
One of the biggest reasons people are choosing to move to Princeton, Texas is affordability.
Current housing data shows a median listing price of approximately $309,000 in Princeton, compared with roughly $525,000 in McKinney, $499,000 in Melissa, $416,200 in Farmersville, and $370,000 in Anna. That price difference can give buyers considerably more options when searching for a home in Collin County.
The City of Princeton’s 2026 Community Profile also highlights affordability as one of the city’s advantages. Its cost-of-living index is listed at 97.5, compared with 110 in McKinney, 109.1 in Plano, and 120.5 in Frisco.
For first-time home buyers, growing households, move-up buyers, and people relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Princeton can provide an opportunity to own a home while staying within reach of the employment, shopping, dining, and entertainment available throughout Collin County.
Princeton Is Growing — and Businesses Are Following
Princeton isn’t simply adding houses. Major commercial development is underway.
One of the biggest projects is Princeton Town Center, a planned 66+ acre retail development at US 380 and Beauchamp Boulevard that the city says is expected to eventually feature more than 35 national brands.
A nearly 100,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace is planned as an anchor, with construction underway and an anticipated opening in late 2027. The city says Kroger’s investment approaches $40 million and is expected to create approximately 200 jobs.
Additional development plans have included Home Depot as another anchor, while Texas Roadhouse, PetSmart and Murphy USA have been among businesses with applications moving through the city development process.
Healthcare is expanding as well. Princeton announced its first medical office development at Princeton Professional Park, with approximately 25,000 square feet planned across two buildings.
Big Plans for Princeton’s Future
Another reason to consider buying a home in Princeton, TX is what is being planned for the years ahead.
The 297-acre Princeton Crossroads mixed-use development stretches for more than a mile along US 380 and is planned for a combination of retail, restaurants, entertainment, housing and other commercial uses.
The city is also working through its 2026 Princeton Playbook Comprehensive Plan, which addresses future land use, transportation, infrastructure, parks, development and community priorities. The current draft envisions improvements along the US 380 corridor as well as new commercial and employment areas. Because the plan remains in the public-review process, individual concepts should be viewed as a vision for Princeton’s future rather than guaranteed projects.
Why Buy a Home in Princeton, Texas?
For buyers comparing Princeton vs. McKinney, Melissa, Anna, Farmersville, Frisco or other North Texas communities, Princeton’s biggest advantage may be simple: you can potentially buy into a growing Collin County community at a significantly lower home price than many neighboring cities.
Combine that affordability with new retail, restaurants, healthcare development, infrastructure planning and continued investment along the US 380 corridor, and Princeton offers buyers an opportunity to become part of a community while much of its next chapter is still being built.
If you’ve been searching for affordable homes in Collin County, new construction homes in Princeton TX, or you’re simply wondering where to buy a home in North Texas, Princeton should be on your list.
As a local Realtor who lives and works in this area, I can help you compare Princeton with surrounding communities and determine where you’ll get the best combination of home, location and value for your budget.