City Comparison
Johannesburg vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johannesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johannesburg
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johannesburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johannesburg's average rent is
33% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,412 | -33% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $160 | $281 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $135 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $2,404 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 61% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Johannesburg is estimated at
$18,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $22,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johannesburg runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johannesburg comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johannesburg sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 63.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Johannesburg.
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 | Johannesburg | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 44 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johannesburg is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x the population of Dallas.
From a growth perspective, Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,854,200 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 30.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johannesburg
Advantages
Thriving corporate and financial hub housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and major multinational headquarters.
Exceptional climate featuring over 200 days of sunshine annually and extensive green urban forestry.
World-class private healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and specialists.
Vibrant cultural scene, featuring acclaimed museums, galleries, dining establishments, and a rich musical heritage.
Favorable cost of living and housing value for professionals earning competitive local salaries or remote foreign income.
Drawbacks
Elevated crime rates requiring vigilant personal security measures and gated residential environments.
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across major metropolitan highway corridors.
Fragmented public mass transit network leading to heavy reliance on private automobiles and rideshares.
Municipal infrastructure challenges, including occasional power interruptions and water supply maintenance issues.
Broader regional and national unemployment pressures impacting broader socio-economic stability.
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.
Johannesburg
#38Gauteng, South Africa
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
44 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
30.20%
Livability
70
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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