Anna vs Princeton
Pick Princeton for lake access. Typical home values run $336,000 to $423,000 in Anna and $283,000 in Princeton, by ZIP code (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
| Anna & Melissa (Anna / Melissa) | Princeton | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, by ZIP | $336,000 to $423,000 | $283,000 |
| Citywide value trend, past year | -6.7% (Anna / Melissa) | -9.8% (Princeton) |
| Price tier | $ | $ |
| Home types | Single-family, New build | Single-family, New build |
| Home age | Mostly 2010s–present new construction | Mostly 2015–present new construction |
| Lots | Standard master-planned lots; acreage at the edges | Standard master-planned lots |
| HOA | HOAs common in new communities | HOAs common in new communities |
| School districts | Anna ISD, Melissa ISD | Princeton ISD |
| Property tax rate (2025, total) | 1.91% to 2.00% | 1.88% |
| Drive to Downtown Dallas | ~47 min 40 mi | ~51 min 40 mi |
| Drive to Legacy West (Plano) | ~30 min 24 mi | ~32 min 24 mi |
| Drive to DFW Airport | ~56 min 44 mi | ~58 min 45 mi |
| Drive to Downtown Fort Worth | ~75 min 65 mi | ~78 min 66 mi |
| Major roads | US 75, SH 121, US 380 | US 380 |
| Nearby | Downtown Anna, Melissa Sports Complex, Lake Lavon (east) | Lake Lavon access, Downtown Princeton |
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.
Anna & Melissa (Anna / Melissa)
The most accessible entry point to new-construction Collin County living, with builder incentives often in play.
Strengths
- Lowest entry price in this set
- Brand-new homes and builder incentives
- US 75 access
Tradeoffs
- Long drive to Dallas
- MUD/PID tax exposure
- Retail and services still growing
Princeton
New homes at entry prices on the east side of Collin County, for buyers who prioritize space and price over commute.
Strengths
- Entry-level new construction
- Space for the money
- Lake Lavon nearby
Tradeoffs
- US 380 traffic
- Long drive to job centers
- Services still being built
Still deciding?
Tell the free DFW AI your commute, budget and must-haves and it will weigh Anna and Princeton for you, or talk it through with Kohl.
Book a free 30-minute call Ask the DFW AI Where should I live?