City Comparison
Apple Valley vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apple Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Apple Valley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apple Valley's average rent is
17% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,412 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $130 | $126 | +3% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $135 | +78% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,404 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Apple Valley offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Apple Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Apple Valley is estimated at
$58,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apple Valley runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apple Valley comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apple Valley sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Apple Valley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Apple Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apple Valley
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $104,000, supporting a strong local economy per Census Bureau data (2024).
Consistently low crime rates make Apple Valley one of the safest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area.
Home to the nationally renowned Minnesota Zoo, offering exceptional family entertainment locally.
Over 50 municipal parks and extensive trail networks provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Highly rated local school district (ISD 196) attracts families seeking top-tier education.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive real estate market limit affordability for first-time buyers per Zillow (2025).
Significant car dependency with limited public transit options outside of peak commuter bus routes.
Cold winter temperatures with frequent snowfall require high winter maintenance and heating costs.
Property taxes in Dakota County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits require travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Apple Valley
#131Minnesota, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
80
Business
70
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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