City Comparison
Edison vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edison
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Edison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edison's average rent is
56% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Edison | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,412 | +56% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $281 | -34% |
| Transport | $140 | $126 | +11% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $3,235 | $2,404 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 35% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edison is estimated at
$65,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Edison | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,129 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edison runs warmer on average — a 55°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edison comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edison sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edison | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Edison.
Edison 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 | Edison | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Edison.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edison | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,585 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
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.
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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