City Comparison
Exeter vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Exeter scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
38% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Exeter | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,412 | +38% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $281 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $126 | +3% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $135 | +78% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,404 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Exeter delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Exeter is estimated at
$68,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Exeter | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Exeter runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Exeter comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Exeter sees 37.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Exeter | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Exeter leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Exeter | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Exeter is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Exeter has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Exeter
Advantages
Exceptional local school district anchored by renowned public schools and private institutions like Phillips Exeter Academy.
Extremely low crime rates and high overall community safety profile compared to national averages.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connecting the town directly to Boston and Portland.
Picturesque, historic downtown featuring vibrant local dining, shopping, and Squamscott River waterfront access.
Proximity to the New Hampshire seacoast and White Mountains, offering world-class outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher-than-average housing costs and competitive real estate market conditions.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles for daily commuting and errands outside the walkable core.
High local property tax burdens typical of many New Hampshire municipalities.
Limited rental housing inventory, making it challenging for younger or lower-income residents to find apartments.
Cold, snowy winter weather requiring high household heating expenditures.
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.
Exeter
#267New Hampshire, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
74
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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