Two of the most exclusive communities in North Texas — but they serve different buyers. Here's how to choose.
Buyers building custom estate homes in North Texas almost always narrow their search to the same short list: Southlake, Westlake, and a handful of surrounding communities. Southlake and Westlake share a border, sit within minutes of DFW Airport, and both command some of the highest home values in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
But they are fundamentally different places — in scale, in character, in what they offer, and in what they ask of residents. Choosing between them comes down to what matters most to your family.
Southlake is a city of approximately 32,000 residents with a defined town center, established retail corridors, and a community identity built around Carroll ISD, Southlake Town Square, and a nationally recognized quality of life. It feels like a polished, self-contained suburb with everything a family needs within city limits.
Westlake is a town of roughly 1,700 residents with no commercial development, no traffic lights on most roads, and a deliberate commitment to remaining purely residential. It feels like a private enclave — rolling hills, mature oaks, and estate homes on acreage. Forbes has recognized it as one of the most affluent communities in the United States.
The contrast is stark. Southlake offers community infrastructure and convenience. Westlake offers seclusion and exclusivity. Neither is objectively better — they serve different priorities.
Southlake is served by Carroll ISD, consistently ranked among the top five public school districts in Texas. Carroll Senior High School, Dragon Stadium, and the district's performing arts facilities are points of genuine community pride. For families where public school quality is the top priority, Carroll ISD is the strongest draw in North Texas.
Westlake is home to Westlake Academy, a public charter school offering all three International Baccalaureate programs — one of the few schools in Texas with that distinction. Westlake Academy is smaller, more selective, and offers a globally focused curriculum. Some Westlake addresses also fall within Carroll ISD boundaries, though this varies by property and should always be verified.
The decision often comes down to philosophy: Carroll ISD's large-district resources and competitive athletics versus Westlake Academy's intimate, IB-focused environment.
Southlake's median home value sits around $1.25 million, with custom estates ranging from under $1 million to $5 million or more in communities like Monticello Estates and Clariden Ranch. The market is broad — there are entry points for move-up buyers alongside genuine estate-scale properties.
Westlake operates at a different tier entirely. The median list price exceeds $3.5 million. Homes in Vaquero routinely sell for $5 million to $8 million or more. Quail Hollow has seen listings approach $19 million. The average price per square foot in Westlake is nearly $940 — roughly double Southlake's average.
For buyers whose budget is below $3 million, Southlake is the practical choice. For buyers building at $5 million and above, Westlake's communities offer a level of exclusivity and property scale that Southlake's denser neighborhoods cannot match.
Both communities are approaching build-out, but the dynamics differ. Southlake still has active custom neighborhoods — Crescent Heights, Saddleback Ridge, Carillon Parc Phase III — with lots priced from $500,000 to over $1.5 million. Infill teardown opportunities also exist in established areas.
Westlake's lot inventory is tighter but more dramatic. Terra Bella offers 28 estate lots on 54 acres with a 22-acre conservation easement. Villaggio, the newest development, has 17 lots at a minimum of one acre each. And existing communities like Vaquero occasionally see resale lots or teardown opportunities.
In both markets, the lots that remain are increasingly rare — which makes working with a builder who can evaluate lots before you commit more important than ever.
Southlake's lifestyle centers on Southlake Town Square — a walkable town center with restaurants, shops, seasonal events, and community gathering spaces. Bob Jones Park, Bicentennial Park, and an extensive trail system provide outdoor recreation. The social scene is active, community-oriented, and family-driven.
Westlake's lifestyle is anchored by the Vaquero Club — a private membership club with a Tom Fazio championship golf course, fine dining, spa, and resort-style amenities. Beyond Vaquero, Westlake's appeal is its absence of commercial development. The lifestyle is private, quiet, and deliberately removed from the density of suburban DFW.
Southlake buyers want to be in the center of a thriving community. Westlake buyers want to retreat from one.
Both communities are exceptionally close to DFW International Airport — Southlake at approximately 15 minutes, Westlake at roughly 10 minutes via Highway 114. For executives who travel weekly, this is often the deciding factor that brings them to this corridor rather than Frisco, Plano, or Allen in Collin County, where the airport drive can exceed 40 minutes.
Texas has no state income tax, which is a primary driver for buyers relocating from California, New York, Illinois, and Connecticut. Property tax rates in both Southlake and Westlake fall in the 2.1%–2.3% range, competitive with most North Texas communities and lower than many Collin County suburbs that include MUD or PID assessments.
Choose Southlake if Carroll ISD is your top priority, you want walkable retail and dining, you prefer a larger community with established infrastructure, and your budget is $1M–$5M for a custom build.
Choose Westlake if privacy and exclusivity matter more than convenience, you want estate-scale living on acreage, you value the IB curriculum at Westlake Academy, and your budget supports the $3.5M+ entry point.
And if you're considering both — or exploring Colleyville or Argyle and Bartonville as alternatives — start with a conversation. We build in all four markets and can help you evaluate the trade-offs based on your family's specific priorities.
We build in Southlake, Westlake, Colleyville, and Argyle. Let's find the right fit.
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