Princeton Realtor, facts first.

Princeton sits on US 380 about 8 miles east of McKinney. The Census Bureau counted 17,027 residents in 2020 and estimated 43,524 by July 2025, and in May 2025 it named Princeton the fastest-growing city in the country after a 30.6% jump between July 2023 and July 2024. Zillow's typical home value was about $283,000 in September 2026, down 9.8% from a year earlier, and the median household income is $105,200 (ACS 2020-2024).

For tax year 2025 a Princeton home paid about 1.88% combined (city 0.440226, Princeton ISD 1.2072, Collin County 0.149343, Collin College 0.08122 per $100). On a $280,000 home that is about $5,260 a year, or roughly $438 a month, before exemptions. The state's $140,000 school homestead exemption lowers that for owner-occupants (the city offers over-65 and disability exemptions but no general homestead percentage), and some newer subdivisions carry a PID or MUD, so confirm the taxing units for the address.

Ask the builder or seller for a rate buydown or closing cost help, because the data supports it here. Then check three things for the exact address: the PID or MUD assessment, the zoned elementary and whether that grade has space, and your real commute on US 380 at 7:30 a.m.

That growth is the lesson. The city paused new residential development in September 2024 so roads, water and public safety could catch up, then extended the pause into late 2025, and Princeton ISD added 1,367 students in a single year. For a buyer, softer prices and a median of 69 days to go under contract (Zillow, September 2026) mean real room to negotiate. Before you sign, drive US 380 at rush hour and ask which campus has space for your child's grade.

With values down about 10% in a year and two-thirds of August 2026 sales closing below list price (Zillow), the first price is your best shot. Price to the most recent closed sales in your section, not to the builder's base price, and give buyers a reason to skip new construction: a finished backyard, a fence, window coverings and a clean inspection. Those are costs a new-home buyer pays out of pocket after closing.