What Does Denton’s Real Estate Market Look Like in 2026?

Denton’s citywide median sale price came in at about $380,000 in January 2026, up 5.6 percent from the same period the year before, according to Redfin. That’s a steady gain without the frantic bidding of 2021 and 2022. The Denton County median for the same period was about $425,000, which means Denton still prices well below the county average.

Homes are taking longer to sell than they did a year ago. The average days on market stretched to about 90, up from 69 the previous year. Inventory is building, and buyers have more leverage than they’ve had in several years.

Denton’s population has grown to roughly 155,000 to 160,000, and the Denton Independent School District holds an A- on Niche as of 2026. New construction from builders like D.R. Horton and First Texas Homes keeps supply flowing in the south and east sides of the city, while established neighborhoods on the west and central sides hold their value through scarcity and location. If you’re weighing Denton against other North Texas suburbs, our free relocation guide covers how the major cities compare.

How Do Denton Neighborhoods Rank by Median Home Value?

This ranking covers neighborhoods within Denton city limits only. All figures are based on recent sales data and active listings as of early 2026.

A note on Forrestridge: active listings in early 2026 skew high because inventory is small and a few custom homes on oversized lots have asked $800,000+. The Zillow Home Value Index for the neighborhood is closer to $518,000, and that’s a better read on what most homes actually trade for. The high-end listings are real, but they don’t represent the typical Forrestridge sale.

A note on Robson Ranch: the trailing 12-month median is about $547,000, but recent closings in early 2026 have trended lower, with the 30-day median dropping to about $497,000. The range in the table reflects that shift.

Which Denton Neighborhood Is Priced Above $700,000?

Montecito

Montecito is an established community in the 76205 zip code with custom-built homes on large lots. The median list price is about $730,000, and recent listings have ranged from $700,000 to just under $890,000. Price per square foot runs around $216. Most homes here are 3,000 to 4,000+ square feet with four bedrooms and three or more bathrooms.

The adjacent Oaks of Montecito carries a lower median around $426,000, so the two shouldn’t be confused.

If you’re looking specifically at Denton’s priciest areas, our most expensive neighborhoods in Denton post ranks the top five by sale price and goes deeper into comps for the luxury segment.

Which Denton Neighborhoods Fall in the $450,000 to $550,000 Range?

Robson Ranch

Robson Ranch is a 55+ active adult community in the 76207 zip code on Denton’s west side. The trailing 12-month median sale price is about $547,000 at $249 per square foot, the highest per-square-foot number of any Denton neighborhood. Recent closings in early 2026 have trended closer to $500,000, so the market may be softening here. That per-square-foot premium reflects the community’s amenity package and the age-restricted buyer pool, not just the homes themselves.

The potential downside is the age restriction. If you’re under 55, Robson Ranch isn’t on the table.

Forrestridge

Forrestridge is in the 76205 zip code near Denton Regional Medical Center. The neighborhood dates back to 1978 and is known for its mid-century modern architecture, mature trees, and oversized wooded lots. The Zillow Home Value Index puts the typical home around $518,000, though individual sales vary widely because of lot size and condition differences. Price per square foot is about $204, and homes tend to be large.

Inventory is limited because no new lots are being developed, so turnover is slow and listings move when they’re priced correctly. A handful of custom homes on the largest lots have listed above $800,000, but those aren’t representative of the neighborhood as a whole.

Southridge

Southridge is one of Denton’s longest-established neighborhoods, dating back to 1966 in the 76205 zip code. Medians have ranged from about $456,000 to $534,000 over the past year depending on the month, and year-over-year appreciation has run 12 to 17 percent, well above the citywide average. Price per square foot is around $187, which is lower than Robson Ranch because Southridge homes tend to be larger on bigger lots.

Southridge had about 42 active listings in early 2026, but much of that inventory was at the lower end of the price range. The $500,000+ listings tend to turn over faster.

The Preserve at Pecan Creek

The Preserve at Pecan Creek is in the 76208 zip code on Denton’s east side. First Texas Homes built out much of this community with single-family homes ranging from about 1,900 to 2,900 square feet. The listing median is about $445,000, making it the newer-construction option in this price band. If you want modern finishes and a builder warranty without the custom-home markup, this is a strong candidate.

Which Denton Neighborhoods Fall in the $350,000 to $450,000 Range?

Pecan Creek (Broader Area)

The broader Pecan Creek area in 76208 posted a 12-month median near $399,000 but declined about 7 percent year-over-year. While most of Denton is appreciating, Pecan Creek has cooled. That could reflect inventory backup or shifting buyer preference toward newer construction nearby. It’s a data point to factor, not a disqualifier.

Idiot’s Hill (Skiles Addition)

Idiot’s Hill is a historic neighborhood about a mile from downtown Denton. The name dates back to the Depression era when locals thought it was foolish to build custom homes on what was then the outskirts of town. The formal name is Skiles Addition, but everyone in Denton calls it Idiot’s Hill.

The median sale price is about $386,000 to $388,000, but the actual range runs from about $280,000 to $550,000 depending on the home. Smaller ranch homes at the low end and larger brick Traditionals at the high end coexist in the same neighborhood. If you want proximity to the Denton Square and older character homes, this is one of the few neighborhoods that delivers both.

Eagle Creek

Eagle Creek is in the 76205 zip code with new construction from D.R. Horton priced between $360,000 and $489,000. The range reflects what’s currently under development. This is efficient new construction with community amenities including a pool, walking trails, and a playground. The homes range from about 1,400 to 2,800 square feet across various floor plans.

Which Denton Neighborhoods Are Priced Under $350,000?

Sedna

Sedna is Denton’s most affordable tracked neighborhood with a median around $320,000 as of early 2026. It has appreciated 29 percent year-over-year, which is the sharpest gain of any Denton neighborhood in this data set.

That pace suggests the area was undervalued relative to comparable neighborhoods, and demand is now catching up. At $320,000 in a city where the median is $380,000, Sedna offers breathing room that other areas don’t. The potential downside is that appreciation this sharp often moderates once the gap closes, so buyers shouldn’t assume the 29 percent annual clip continues indefinitely.

How Do Property Taxes Affect What You Actually Pay in Denton?

Denton’s base property tax rate, combining county, city, and Denton ISD, comes to about 1.99 percent for most addresses. The Denton County portion dropped to its lowest level since 1986 for fiscal year 2025 to 2026.

The variable that changes everything is whether your address falls inside a MUD or PID. Established neighborhoods like Montecito, Southridge, and Idiot’s Hill generally don’t carry MUD/PID assessments, so your effective rate stays near that 2.0 percent baseline. Newer communities like Robson Ranch, The Preserve at Pecan Creek, and Eagle Creek may fall inside special districts that push the effective rate to 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent or higher.

On a $450,000 home, the difference between a 2.0 percent effective rate and a 3.0 percent rate adds about $4,500 per year. That gap compounds over a 30-year mortgage.

Texas homeowners can claim a $140,000 homestead exemption on the school district portion, which reduces the taxable value and saves roughly a few hundred dollars per year depending on the rate.

This post on property taxes in Denton covers the full breakdown by zip code and district.

What Are the Cons of Buying in Denton’s Higher-Priced Neighborhoods?

Limited Inventory in Established Areas

Montecito, Forrestridge, and Southridge don’t have new lots being developed. When a home comes on the market at the right price, it moves. You may need to wait for inventory rather than shopping a selection.

MUD/PID Taxes in Newer Communities

The sticker price on a home in Robson Ranch or The Preserve at Pecan Creek might look comparable to Southridge, but the annual carrying cost can be significantly higher if a MUD or PID is involved. Always confirm whether the address carries a special district assessment before making an offer.

Distance from Downtown Denton

Robson Ranch, The Preserve at Pecan Creek, and Eagle Creek are all on the outer edges of the city. If walkability to the Denton Square or Fry Street matters to you, only Idiot’s Hill offers that proximity among the neighborhoods listed here. The trade-off in Denton’s higher-priced areas is often location for lot size and newer construction.