Argyle and Northlake at a Glance

These two towns share a border, portions of the I-35W corridor, and they even share a master-planned community (Harvest by Hillwood). But their differences shape very different buying decisions.

Argyle is a town of about 6,300 people that has grown roughly 41% since the 2020 Census. It still has a rural feel in many areas, with estate lots, horse properties, and pockets of acreage mixed in with newer development. Northlake has more than doubled in the same period, going from about 5,500 residents in 2020 to an estimated 13,000 in 2026, and almost all of that growth has come through large master-planned communities like Canyon Falls and Pecan Square.

You’ll buy a home in Northlake for roughly $200,000 less than in Argyle, and often you’re getting a newer build with comparable square footage. The tradeoff is that Argyle ISD consistently ranks higher than Northwest ISD, and Argyle’s smaller footprint gives it a different feel than Northlake’s rapid-growth suburban character.

Home Prices in Argyle vs. Northlake

Argyle’s median sale price is about $650,000 as of early 2026. That number moves around more than you’d expect because Argyle has relatively few sales per month, and a single estate property closing at $1.2 million or higher can shift the median significantly. New construction in Argyle ranges from about $350,000 in The Retreat at Harvest all the way to $1.4 million or more in the custom-lot sections.

Northlake’s median sale price is about $450,000. The spread is narrower than Argyle’s because most of Northlake’s housing stock is newer construction within master-planned communities. Canyon Falls homes range from about $500,000 to $800,000, and Pecan Square starts around $590,000. The Ridge at Northlake offers a lower entry point for buyers who want to be in Northwest ISD without paying Canyon Falls or Pecan Square prices.

The potential downside with Northlake’s lower median is that special taxing districts are more common here, and they add a meaningful amount to the annual tax bill. More on that in the next section.

Property Taxes in Argyle and Northlake Compared

Both towns are in Denton County, so the county rate is the same. The differences come from the town rate, the school district rate, and whether your address falls inside a MUD, PID, or Municipal Management District (MMD).

Argyle base rate (no special districts):

The combined rate from the Town of Argyle, Argyle ISD, and Denton County works out to about 2.1%. On a $650,000 home with the $140,000 homestead exemption applied to the school district portion, that’s roughly $12,000 to $13,000 per year in property taxes. Some newer phases of Harvest carry a MUD or PID tax that can push the rate higher, but most established Argyle addresses don’t have one.

Northlake base rate (no special districts):

The combined rate from the Town of Northlake, Northwest ISD, and Denton County is about 1.9%. On a $450,000 home with the homestead exemption, that’s roughly $7,500 to $8,500 per year.

The potential downside is that most of Northlake’s newer communities carry a special district overlay. Pecan Square’s MMD adds about $0.70 per $100 of taxable value, and Canyon Falls’ WCID adds about $0.70 as well. That pushes the total effective rate into the 2.5% to 2.7% range, which means a $450,000 home in Pecan Square could have a tax bill closer to $9,500 to $10,500.

The bottom line is that Argyle’s base rate is higher, but Northlake’s special districts are more widespread. In both towns, you need to verify the total rate by address before making an offer. This post on property taxes in Argyle breaks down the full tax setup.

School Districts: Argyle ISD vs. Northwest ISD

Argyle ISD holds an A+ rating on Niche and ranks #8 among all school districts in Texas for 2026. It’s a smaller district with about 5,000 students, and that size is part of the appeal. Argyle ISD is also the #1-ranked district in Denton County according to Niche.

Northwest ISD holds an A- rating on Niche and serves about 31,000 students across a much larger geographic footprint that includes Northlake, Justin, Haslet, and portions of Fort Worth. It’s a strong district, but it’s not at the same tier as Argyle ISD in the Niche rankings. The A- still puts Northwest ISD in the top tier statewide.

One thing to watch is Harvest by Hillwood, which straddles both Argyle and Northlake, meaning parts of the community feed into Argyle ISD and parts feed into Northwest ISD. If you’re buying a home in Harvest specifically for the school district, you need to confirm which side of the boundary your lot falls on. This post on Argyle ISD explained covers how the boundaries work across the area.

Commute Times from Argyle and Northlake

Both towns are along the I-35W corridor, so the commute is similar with a few differences.

To Fort Worth: Argyle is about 29 miles from downtown Fort Worth, which is roughly 33 minutes in light traffic. Northlake is about 20 miles out and takes about 40 minutes, though the shorter distance can be offset by heavier traffic near the Alliance corridor.

To Dallas: Both are about 40 to 50 minutes from downtown Dallas depending on time of day and route. Argyle residents typically take FM 407 east to TX-114 or I-35E. Northlake residents take I-35W south to I-820 or cut east on TX-114.

To DFW Airport: Northlake has the edge here. It’s about 17 miles from the airport, roughly 20 to 25 minutes in normal traffic. Argyle is about 25 miles out, closer to 30 minutes.

To the Alliance corridor: If you work in the Alliance area (Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Amazon, and the logistics hub), Northlake puts you within about 15 minutes. Argyle is a bit farther north and adds 10 to 15 minutes to that commute.

If your job is at DFW Airport or along the Alliance corridor, Northlake is the more practical choice, but if you commute to Denton or work remotely, the difference is negligible.

New Construction in Argyle and Northlake

Both towns have active new construction, but the scale and price range differ.

Argyle new construction:

Harvest by Hillwood is the dominant community, covering about 1,200 acres with homes from about $350,000 (The Retreat at Harvest) to over $1.4 million. Builders active in Harvest include Highland Homes, Bloomfield Homes, and several others across multiple product lines. Outside of Harvest, Argyle doesn’t have much new construction. Most of the town’s housing stock is either established neighborhoods, estate lots, or custom builds. For details on every builder and community, see this post on new construction in Argyle.

Northlake new construction:

Northlake has three major master-planned communities:

• Canyon Falls is nature-focused with 14+ miles of trails and a creek preserve. Homes range from about $500,000 to $800,000+ from builders like Coventry Homes and Drees Custom Homes.
• Pecan Square by Hillwood emphasizes technology and walkability, with a co-working space and community gathering spaces. Homes start around $590,000.
• The Ridge at Northlake offers a lower entry point for buyers on a tighter budget who still want a Northlake address and Northwest ISD.

Northlake has significantly more active inventory than Argyle at any given time, and builder incentives on spec homes (rate buy-downs, closing cost contributions) tend to be more aggressive because of the volume.

Lifestyle and Dining in Argyle vs. Northlake

Argyle has a more developed dining and shopping scene relative to its size. Old Town Argyle has a small walkable core, and restaurants like Marty B’s, 407 BBQ, Quandary Kitchen and Market, and Little Joe’s Farmstead give the town more standalone dining options than you’d expect for a place this small. The equestrian and rural character outside the Harvest development also gives parts of Argyle a distinct feel that Northlake doesn’t replicate.

Northlake is more community-focused. Canyon Falls, Pecan Square, and The Ridge all have internal amenity centers, pools, trails, and gathering spaces, but standalone restaurants and retail within Northlake’s town limits are limited. Residents rely on nearby Denton (15 minutes north), Roanoke (10 minutes south), or the Southlake/Westlake corridor for most dining and shopping.

If walkable restaurants and a small-town center matter to you, Argyle has the advantage. If your social life centers on your community’s amenities and you don’t mind driving for dining, Northlake works fine.

Which Buyers Each Town Serves Best

These two towns overlap geographically but serve fairly different buyer profiles.

Argyle is the stronger fit if you:

• Prioritize school district ranking (Argyle ISD is A+ and #1 in Denton County)
• Want a smaller-town feel with more rural character
• Are comfortable with a higher price point (median about $650,000)
• Value local dining and a walkable town center
• Want a mix of new construction and established homes

Northlake is the stronger fit if you:

• Want newer construction with more inventory to choose from
• Need to stay closer to the $400,000 to $600,000 range
• Work at DFW Airport or in the Alliance corridor
• Are comfortable with Northwest ISD (A- on Niche, strong but not at Argyle ISD’s level)
• Prefer master-planned community amenities over standalone town amenities

Most buyers tour both towns before deciding, and the choice usually comes down to three things: price, school district preference, and commute. If you want help comparing specific addresses in Argyle and Northlake, including the exact tax rate and school district for each property, click here to book a strategy call.