Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Austin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Dallas.
| Metric | Austin | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $1,907 | -2% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $200 | $224 | -11% |
| Transport | $90 | $780 | -88% |
| Healthcare | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,781 | $3,611 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Austin is estimated at
$69,000 vs $73,000 in Dallas.
| Metric | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,152 | $66,419 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $73,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,242 idx | 64,484 idx |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 69.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Austin.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin's job market is robust, with 2.0% growth in 2025, ranking it as the best-performing among the 50 largest U.S. metros.
The unemployment rate in Austin is low, at 3.7% in January 2026, outperforming state and national averages.
Austin's violent crime rate in 2025 was 22% below the national average, contributing to a relatively safe urban environment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, renowned for its live music, diverse dining, and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities.
Texas has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain more of their earnings.
Drawbacks
Despite recent dips, housing costs in Austin remain a significant expense, with average rent at $1,866/month in June 2026.
The overall crime rate in Austin is 23% below the national average, but it is 75% higher than the U.S. average and 44% higher than Texas according to 2024 FBI figures.
Austin exhibits high car dependency, with 56% of commuters driving alone in 2024, indicating challenges in public transit and walkability for some areas.
Some key industries, such as information and manufacturing, experienced job declines in 2025.
The average cost of a doctor's visit without insurance in Austin is relatively high at $175.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime rates, including murders, have seen significant year-over-year decreases in 2024 and 2025, indicating improving safety.
Dallas-Fort Worth is a major economic powerhouse with strong job creation and a diverse range of thriving industries like IT, Financial Services, and Healthcare.
The city was ranked as the No. 1 most affordable city in the world for dining out in 2025, offering excellent culinary experiences at reasonable prices.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has shown strong new business growth, with a 28% increase in new business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Dallas offers a vibrant cultural scene, extensive entertainment options, and numerous parks and outdoor activities, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Despite improvements in crime rates, police response times remain high, which can be a concern for residents in emergency situations.
Dallas is a car-dependent city with an average walk score of 46, and drivers experience significant traffic congestion, losing an average of 69 hours in traffic in 2024.
Summers in Dallas are characterized by scorching heat and stifling humidity, with average highs reaching 96°F and frequently exceeding 100°F.
While housing is relatively affordable compared to some major U.S. cities, home prices in Dallas saw a decline of 1.52% from December 2024 to December 2025, indicating a cooling market.
Utilities costs in Dallas are notably higher than the national average, impacting overall monthly expenses.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#8Texas, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$74,152
Cost Index
96
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
82
Business
85
Dallas
#19Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,907
Avg Salary
$66,419
Cost Index
103
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
68
Business
80
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