Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
110% higher compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
11% higher than Olympia's.
| Metric | Dallas | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,907 | $1,723 | +11% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $224 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $780 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,611 | $1,723 | +110% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 33% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dallas is estimated at
$73,000 vs $87,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Dallas | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,419 | $98,686 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,484 idx | 87,333 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dallas | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Olympia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
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 | Dallas | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 69.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 23.9x the population of Olympia.
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 | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 55,951 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | 0.02% |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia boasts a high livability score of 84/100, ranking it among the best places to live in Washington and the USA.
The city offers ample job opportunities, particularly in state and local government, contributing to a strong employment score.
Olympia's median household income saw a 5.7% growth year-over-year in 2024, reaching $81,302.
The housing market, while competitive, remains relatively accessible compared to other major West Coast cities.
Olympia has highly-rated public schools, making it attractive for families.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Olympia is 13% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
Olympia's overall crime rate is 68% to 89% higher than the national average, placing it in the 10th percentile for safety.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher than the national average, ranging from 19% to 25.3% more expensive.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a walk score of 39 and limited public transportation options.
Olympia experiences a high amount of rainfall annually, averaging around 50-58 inches.
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
Olympia
#19Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,723
Avg Salary
$98,686
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.02%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
84
Business
0
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