Allen vs Melissa: the data, side by side
Melissa's typical home value is $66,642 lower than Allen's ($430,722 vs $497,364, Zillow ZHVI, June 2026). On the computed commute grid, Allen posts the shorter free-flow drive to 11 of the six tracked employment centers. Which trade wins depends on your workplace and budget — the Fit Engine scores it for your exact profile.
Verified facts
| Allen | Melissa | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Collin | Collin |
| Population (Census Vintage 2024) | 113,746 | 26,194 |
| Typical home value (Zillow ZHVI, June 2026) | $497,364 | $430,722 |
| Typical rent (Zillow ZORI, June 2026) | $1,678 | $1,927 |
Counties: Allen — Collin; Melissa — Collin. Property tax depends on the taxing units at each address, not the city line alone — see how Texas property tax works.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates · Zillow ZHVI/ZORI June 2026 · OSRM commute grid 2026-08-09 · full methodology
Commutes compared
| Destination | Allen | Melissa |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy West | 19 | 29 |
| Frisco (The Star) | 20 | 30 |
| Las Colinas | 36 | 52 |
| DFW Airport | 46 | 55 |
| Downtown Dallas | 29 | 45 |
| Downtown Fort Worth | 62 | 75 |
| Richardson CityLine | 13 | 29 |
| Addison | 26 | 41 |
| Medical District | 35 | 51 |
| AllianceTexas | 73 | 82 |
| Cypress Waters | 35 | 51 |
Free-flow driving minutes (OSRM model, computed 2026-08-09). Peak-hour drives run meaningfully higher.
Where the commute actually decides it
The employment centers where these two diverge most, free-flow model.
- Las Colinas — Allen is 16 min closer (36 vs 52 min)
- Downtown Dallas — Allen is 16 min closer (29 vs 45 min)
- Richardson CityLine — Allen is 16 min closer (13 vs 29 min)
Which one fits your household?
- Allen: choose it if your commute anchors to Las Colinas (36 vs 52 min), Downtown Dallas (29 vs 45 min) — it wins 11 of the 11 tracked centers.
- Melissa: posts no commute edge at any tracked center — its case is price or area preference.
- If budget leads: Melissa typically prices $66,642 lower (June 2026); for renters, Allen's typical rent is lower ($1,678 vs $1,927).
- Two workplaces? The Fit Engine weighs both commutes and your budget band together.
Communities to shortlist
In Allen: Wimberley Place · Allen North · Alta Magnolia at the Farm · Alta at the Farm
In Melissa: Auburndale · Del Webb at Trinity Falls · Prose Stoneridge · The Preserve at Honey Creek
Every community page carries its own computed commute grid; the full rosters live on the city profiles.
Score it for your profile
Your workplace, ceiling, and budget band decide this comparison — not our opinion.
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Adjacent decisions
Allen vs Anna · Allen vs Celina · Allen vs Coppell · Allen vs Frisco · Allen vs Little Elm · Allen vs McKinney
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