Southlake and Westlake are often mentioned in the same breath as Tarrant County's premier luxury communities. In practice, Southlake is a larger, family-focused city built around its award-winning school district, while Westlake is a small, gated community of custom estates on acreage.
Southlake vs Westlake at a glance
Southlake vs Westlake
| Southlake | Westlake | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Family-focused city | Small, exclusive enclave |
| Population | ~32,000 | ~1,700 |
| Typical lot size | 0.25 – 1 acre | 1 – 5+ acres |
| Home style | Executive homes + estates | Custom estates on acreage |
| Schools | Carroll ISD (Dragons) | Westlake Academy + Carroll ISD |
| Corporate proximity | Sabre, IBM, Kimberly-Clark nearby | Charles Schwab, Fidelity, TD Ameritrade adjacent |
| Retail hub | Southlake Town Square | Town Square (small) |
Who each option is best for
Southlake is best for
- Families wanting a top-rated public high school (Carroll ISD)
- Buyers who want walkable retail and dining at Southlake Town Square
- Executives at Sabre, IBM, and nearby corporate campuses
Westlake is best for
- Buyers wanting privacy on multiple acres
- Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and Solana campus employees
- Families interested in Westlake Academy
Our verdict
Southlake for public-school-focused families and walkable amenities. Westlake for estate-scale privacy and Solana / Schwab commute proximity.
Frequently asked questions
Is Westlake in the same school district as Southlake?+
Most of Westlake is served by Carroll ISD (Southlake Carroll). Westlake also has its own K-12 charter, Westlake Academy.
Which is closer to DFW Airport?+
Both are within 15 minutes of DFW Airport; Westlake is slightly closer on the north side.