Buyers often search both Park Cities together. The towns share Highland Park ISD and much of their character, so the decision usually comes down to a few practical differences.
Housing stock
[Highland Park](/communities/highland-park) has a higher share of larger estate lots, particularly near Turtle Creek and Lakeside Drive, with many architecturally significant 1920s–1930s homes. [University Park](/communities/university-park) is larger in area and population, with more mid-sized lots, a wide mix of renovated originals and new builds, and streets of newer construction north of Lovers Lane.
Retail and daily life
Highland Park centers on Highland Park Village; University Park on Snider Plaza and the shops along Hillcrest near SMU. Both are walkable to parks — Lakeside Park and Davis Park in Highland Park, Caruth and Curtis Parks in University Park.
Commute
Both sit between the Dallas North Tollway and US-75, roughly 10–15 minutes from Downtown and Uptown in normal traffic. Highland Park is marginally closer to the Uptown office core.
Price
We do not publish median prices here because they move monthly. Ask a [buyer's agent](/buy) for a current comparative market analysis, or if you own in either town, [request a valuation](/home-value).
Next step
Tour a few streets in each with an agent and search current listings on our [MLS property search](/properties).
