City Comparison
Champaign vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Champaign scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
11% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Champaign | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,412 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $281 | -40% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,404 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Champaign offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Champaign delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Champaign | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Champaign runs warmer on average — a 54.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Champaign comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Champaign sees 18.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Champaign 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 | Champaign | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Champaign.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Champaign has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
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.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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