The suburb spotlight this week is the number that quietly decides how far your budget goes: the property tax rate. Same 450,000 dollar new build, very different monthly tax bill depending on the city. Why you should shop the monthly payment instead of the sticker price, and the two caveats that can move the number at a specific address.

The numbers from this episode:

• A 450,000 dollar build in Forney runs about 209 dollars a month more in property taxes than the same build in Rockwall
• The same build in McLendon-Chisholm runs about 260 dollars a month more than in Forney
• A 450,000 dollar build in McKinney runs about 131 dollars a month more than the same build in Celina (McKinney ISD has a school tax vote November 3; re-verify if it passes)
• For context: the 260 dollar McLendon-Chisholm to Forney gap is bigger than the payment jump from 7.03 to 7.28 percent on a 400,000 dollar loan, about 68 dollars a month
• All gaps use adopted 2026 city rates, verified September 25, 2026; neighborhood MUD or PID assessments can move specific addresses

Sources:

• Kyler's tax homework sheet, built from adopted 2026 city, county, school district, and college district rates, verified September 25, 2026
• Texas Tax Trap Calculator: https://kylerhood.com/tax-trap-calculator/

Kyler Hood, eXp Realty, TX license #828001. 469-434-2586. https://kylerhood.com