Allen vs West Plano
Allen and West Plano are close on most measures, so the deciding factors are usually the exact school zone and the commute. Typical home values run $452,000 to $645,000 in Allen and $546,000 to $738,000 in West Plano, by ZIP code (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
| Allen | West Plano | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, by ZIP | $452,000 to $645,000 | $546,000 to $738,000 |
| Citywide value trend, past year | -5.1% (Allen) | -3.3% (Plano) |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Home types | Single-family, Townhome | Single-family, Townhome, Condo/urban (Legacy) |
| Home age | Mostly 1990s–2010s | Mostly 1980s–2000s; urban product at Legacy West and Legacy Town Center |
| Lots | Standard suburban lots | Established suburban lots with mature trees |
| HOA | HOAs common, typically moderate dues | Mix of mandatory and voluntary HOAs; many older sections have light or no HOA |
| School districts | Allen ISD, Lovejoy ISD (parts), Plano ISD (parts) | Plano ISD |
| Property tax rate (2025, total) | 1.77% | 1.71% |
| Drive to Downtown Dallas | ~30 min 25 mi | ~32 min 23 mi |
| Drive to Legacy West (Plano) | ~20 min 12 mi | ~8 min 3 mi |
| Drive to DFW Airport | ~46 min 34 mi | ~37 min 25 mi |
| Drive to Downtown Fort Worth | ~62 min 54 mi | ~56 min 46 mi |
| Major roads | US 75, SH 121 | DNT, SH 121, PGBT, US 75 |
| Nearby | Watters Creek, Allen Premium Outlets, Allen Event Center, Celebration Park | Legacy West, Legacy Town Center, Shops at Willow Bend, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve |
Home values: Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026. Tax rates: 2025 tax rates per $100 of value, from Republic Title's 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates (compiled from county appraisal districts). County column includes county, community college and hospital districts where they apply. Excludes MUD/PID and special districts, and is before homestead exemptions. Drive times: Off-peak drive estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), measured from each area's center on 2026-10-21. Rush hour is often much longer. School districts vary by street, so verify by address.
Allen
Allen is a polished, mid-sized suburb with 1990s–2000s homes, strong retail and a central position on US 75.
Strengths
- Central US 75 location
- Good retail and parks
- Mostly established, move-in-ready homes
Tradeoffs
- Limited new-build land
- US 75 peak congestion
- Competitive at popular price points
West Plano
Established, centrally located and close to big employers. You get mature neighborhoods without a far-north commute.
Strengths
- Central to North Dallas job centers
- Mature trees and established neighborhoods
- Walkable pockets at Legacy
Tradeoffs
- Older homes may need updating
- Limited new construction
- Competitive pricing near Legacy
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