Burleson vs. Crowley vs. Joshua — Where Should You Buy?

October 22, 2026 · Burleson, Texas

Three towns, all within a few miles of each other, all south of Fort Worth. On a map they look interchangeable.

They're not. Here's how they actually compare.

Side by side

	Burleson	Crowley	Joshua
Population (2024 est.)	about 56,000	about 20,500	about 9,100
Growth since 2020	about 18%	about 13%	about 16%
Median sale price	$334,841 (Sept. 2026)	$303,855 (Sept. 2026)	$367,257 (Aug. 2026)
Typical days on market	47	77	69
City tax rate per $100 (2025)	$0.7218	$0.6375	$0.6895
Main school district(s)	Burleson ISD, Joshua ISD	Crowley ISD	Joshua ISD
School district rating (2026)	Both B	B	B

Joshua's median is based on only 27 sales, so treat it as a rough read, not a trend.

Burleson: the most going on

Burleson is the biggest of the three, and it has the most to do. A real Old Town with restaurants, a rooftop brewery and a farmers market. Bailey Lake, Chisenhall Fields, the BRiCk and two golf courses. Two billion-dollar communities are going in on the west side, and a boutique Hilton is on the way.

Best for: buyers who want amenities, choice schools and a town that's clearly on the rise.

Trade-off: the highest city tax rate of the three, and I-35W traffic.

Crowley: the value play

Crowley had the lowest median sale price of the three in September, and the lowest city tax rate. It also has new construction — Lennar's Deer Creek, for one, has homes from the $250s.

Best for: budget-conscious buyers and first-time buyers who want new construction without stretching.

Trade-off: fewer amenities in town, and homes have been taking longer to sell, which can cut both ways when you resell.

Joshua: room to breathe

Joshua is the smallest and the most country of the three, with bigger lots and acreage within reach. Joshua ISD had five of its campuses earn an A in 2026 and a 99% graduation rate, and it's building new schools to keep up with growth.

Best for: buyers who want space, a small-town feel and a smaller school district.

Trade-off: fewer shops and restaurants in town. You'll drive to Burleson or Cleburne for most things.

The twist: school lines don't follow city lines

Joshua ISD reaches well into Burleson — every home in Chisholm Summit and Tallgrass is Joshua ISD. So "Burleson vs. Joshua" is sometimes the same school district with a different mailing address. Check the zoned school for every house.

So, where should you buy?

Want the most to do? Burleson.
Want the most house for the money? Start with Crowley.
Want land and quiet? Joshua.

And if you're torn, that's normal. I'll take you through all three in one afternoon.

Not sure which town fits? Let's compare real homes in all three. Book a call.

Rebecca Kennedy · Burleson REALTOR® · 817-372-9896

* Header image is an artist’s illustration.