What Are the Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Denton, TX?

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

This post focuses on the five priciest areas. For a full breakdown across all price tiers, from $320,000 to $730,000, see our best neighborhoods in Denton by median home value guide.

1. Montecito

Montecito is a 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. Average price per square foot is around $216. Most homes here are 3,000 to 4,000+ square feet with four bedrooms and three or more bathrooms.

This is the priciest neighborhood in Denton by a significant margin. The adjacent Oaks of Montecito subdivision carries a lower median around $426,000, so the two shouldn’t be confused.

2. Robson Ranch

Robson Ranch is a 55+ active adult community in the 76207 zip code on Denton’s west side. The median sale price over the past 12 months is about $550,000, with a price per square foot of $249. New construction from the community’s builder starts at $433,000, and the upper end of resales pushes toward $1 million for the largest homes.

The potential downside is that Robson Ranch is age-restricted. At least 80% of homes must have one resident who is 55 or older, and the minimum age for any permanent resident is 19. But for buyers who qualify, it consistently ranks as one of the highest-value neighborhoods in the city.

3. Southridge

Southridge is one of Denton’s oldest established neighborhoods, dating back to 1966. It’s in the 76205 zip code with mature trees, large lots, and a mix of original custom homes and more recent builds. The median sale price has ranged from about $456,000 to $534,000 over the past year depending on the month, and prices have appreciated between 12% and 17% year over year.

Average price per square foot is $187, which is lower than Robson Ranch because Southridge homes tend to be larger on bigger lots. Inventory has been building, with about 42 homes for sale as of early 2026.

4. The Preserve at Pecan Creek

The Preserve at Pecan Creek is a single-family community in the 76208 zip code on Denton’s east side. First Texas Homes built out much of this subdivision with homes ranging from about 1,900 to 2,900 square feet. Current listings range from $385,000 for a three-bedroom to $710,000 for a five-bedroom on a larger lot.

5. Idiot’s Hill

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 the outskirts of town. The formal name is Crestwood Heights Addition (sometimes called Skiles Addition), but everyone in Denton calls it Idiot’s Hill.

The median sale price is about $388,000 as of mid-2025, which puts it closer to the Denton average. But the larger custom homes, the 2,300 to 4,000 square foot brick Traditionals, sell between $430,000 and $550,000. What earns it a spot on this list is the combination of lot size, mature oaks, and proximity to downtown. You won’t find that mix of location and land anywhere else in the city at these prices.

How Do Denton’s Most Expensive Neighborhoods Compare to the City Average?

Montecito runs nearly double the Denton citywide median. Robson Ranch and Southridge are 20% to 45% above it. The Preserve at Pecan Creek and Idiot’s Hill overlap with the city average at the lower end but stretch well above it for larger homes.

For context, the Denton County median sale price is about $425,000 as of January 2026, according to Redfin. So even Denton’s most expensive neighborhoods are priced below what you’d pay in Frisco, Prosper, or Argyle, which is part of what makes moving to Denton attractive to buyers who want more home for their money.

What About Landmark by Hillwood?

Landmark is a 3,200-acre master-planned community in the 76207 zip code on Denton’s southwest side near Argyle. Model homes are opening in spring 2026, with nine builders offering plans from the mid-$400s to the high $500s and above. Highland Homes, one of the first builders active, is starting in the high $500s for homes on 50-foot lots.

Landmark doesn’t have enough closed sales to rank yet. But based on initial pricing, it will likely land between Robson Ranch and Montecito within a year or two. If you’re shopping Denton’s premium price tier, it’s worth watching. For more on this community, this post covers everything from builder lineups to tax district details.

What Should You Know About Property Taxes in These Neighborhoods?

Denton’s base property tax rate (county + city + Denton ISD) is about 1.99% for most addresses. The Denton County rate for FY 2025-26 dropped to $0.185938 per $100, the lowest it’s been since 1986.

The key variable 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 you’re looking at that ~2.0% effective rate. Newer communities like Robson Ranch, The Preserve at Pecan Creek, and Landmark by Hillwood may fall inside special districts that push the effective rate into the 2.5% to 3.0%+ range.

On a $550,000 home, the difference between a 2.0% effective rate and a 3.0% rate with a MUD/PID adds up to thousands per year. That gap compounds over a 30-year mortgage and is worth understanding before you compare sticker prices across neighborhoods. The free North Texas Relocation Guide covers how to budget for these costs.

For a full breakdown of how property taxes work in Denton, this post covers it in detail.

What Are the Cons of Buying in Denton’s Priciest Areas?

MUD/PID Taxes in Newer Communities

The sticker price on a home in Robson Ranch or 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.

Limited Inventory in the Established Neighborhoods

Montecito and Southridge don’t have new lots being developed. When a home comes on the market, it sells relatively quickly. Southridge had about 42 listings in early 2026, but much of that inventory was at the lower end of the price range. The $500K+ listings turn over faster.

Age Restriction at Robson Ranch

Robson Ranch requires at least one resident per home to be 55 or older, which narrows the buyer pool significantly. That eliminates what would otherwise be one of the top choices in Denton’s higher-priced areas.

Distance from Downtown

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