City Comparison
Gatineau vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gatineau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gatineau
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gatineau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Dallas.
| Metric | Gatineau | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,412 | -4% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $90 | $126 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,273 | $2,404 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gatineau offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gatineau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gatineau is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Gatineau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gatineau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gatineau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Gatineau.
From a growth perspective, Gatineau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gatineau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gatineau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,193 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.01% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gatineau
Advantages
Gatineau offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Ottawa, with an aggregate house price of $438,000 in 2024, approximately $300,000 less than Ottawa.
The city is recognized as one of Canada's most affordable cities, ranking 15th on a list by Royal LePage in 2024.
Gatineau provides a more affordable housing market, with median single-family home prices around $490,000, similar to the previous year, and condos slightly increasing to $312,000.
The city is part of the National Capital Region, offering access to a broad job market and a wide range of industries, particularly in public administration and technology.
Gatineau boasts a rich natural environment with Gatineau Park offering extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.
Drawbacks
Rental prices in Gatineau have increased, with average rents climbing by 7.6% in 2024, exceeding national inflation and making it difficult to secure affordable housing.
The housing market faces pressure from population growth and migration from Ottawa, leading to low vacancy rates and affordability challenges.
While public transit is available, Gatineau is generally car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle.
Healthcare services in Gatineau may have longer wait times and less robust emergency care compared to Ottawa.
Childcare costs are substantially lower in Gatineau, but there are limited English-speaking education options.
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.
Gatineau
#31Quebec, Canada
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.01%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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