City Comparison
Castle Rock vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Castle Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Castle Rock
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Castle Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: Castle Rock's average rent is
25% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,772 | $1,412 | +25% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,702 | $2,404 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Castle Rock offers 40% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Castle Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Castle Rock is estimated at
$66,996 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $66,996 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $145,197 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Castle Rock runs warmer on average — a 50°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Castle Rock comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Castle Rock sees 31.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Castle Rock.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Castle Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 11.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Castle Rock.
From a growth perspective, Castle Rock is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Castle Rock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,815 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.72% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Castle Rock
Advantages
Ranked as one of the safest cities and suburbs in Colorado with low violent and property crime rates per FBI and SafeWise data.
Exceptional median household income of $145,197, outperforming state and national benchmarks significantly.
Robust outdoor amenity network featuring over 20 parks, 80 miles of trails, and the iconic Rock Park.
Top-rated healthcare infrastructure anchored by AdventHealth Castle Rock, a designated Level III trauma center with an 'A' safety grade.
Thriving local business environment and downtown district offering high-end dining, shopping, and community festivals.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses run significantly higher than the national average, impacting affordability.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options, leading to heavy reliance on I-25 for commuting.
Rapid population growth has intensified traffic congestion along key local arteries and the main interstate corridors.
Average rent and home purchase prices place a heavy financial burden on lower-income service workers and young adults.
Strict water conservation and growth management policies can face friction as the municipality approaches buildout caps.
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.
Castle Rock
#55Colorado, USA
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,772
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
11.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
50.00°F
Pop. Growth
2.72%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
85
Business
76
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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