City Comparison
Chaparral vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chaparral scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chaparral
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chaparral's average rent is
36% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Chaparral | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,412 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $140 | $126 | +11% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $1,815 | $2,404 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chaparral is estimated at
$42,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Chaparral | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $46,017 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chaparral runs warmer on average — a 65.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chaparral comes out ahead with 331 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chaparral sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chaparral | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
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 | Chaparral | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chaparral | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chaparral
Advantages
Home values are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with typical properties valued around $228,000 per Zillow data.
Enjoy an abundance of sunshine with approximately 331 sunny days per year under an appealing desert climate.
Strategic location in the Borderplex region offers close proximity to El Paso employment and military bases.
A remarkably young and vibrant community with a median age of 31.6 years per U.S. Census data.
Cost of living and everyday goods are notably cheaper than national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and low walkability scores require long commutes for most employment and shopping needs.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with U.S. Census data recording approximately 27.4% of persons below the poverty line.
Limited local higher education attainment, with only around 10.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Scarcity of large-scale commercial entertainment, dining, and major healthcare facilities within immediate town limits.
Household median incomes remain well below national medians at roughly $46,017.
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.
Chaparral
#375New Mexico, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
65.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
68
Business
60
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Chaparral and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator