Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
Houston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Houston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
76% higher compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
59% higher than Houston's.
| Metric | Dallas | Houston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,907 | $1,199 | +59% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $224 | $180 | +24% |
| Transport | $780 | $120 | +550% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,611 | $2,049 | +76% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dallas is estimated at
$73,000 vs $55,000 in Houston.
| Metric | Dallas | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,419 | $98,122 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,484 idx | 101,157 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $64,361 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dallas | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dallas | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 69.00 | 77.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Dallas.
From a growth perspective, Dallas 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 | Dallas | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 2,390,125 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $697.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Houston
#31Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
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