Performance
Score Breakdown
Kalamazoo
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kalamazoo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kalamazoo's average rent is
20% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,135 | $1,412 | -20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $2,404 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kalamazoo offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kalamazoo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kalamazoo is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,581 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $52,272 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kalamazoo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 | Kalamazoo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 39.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Kalamazoo.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kalamazoo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,076 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kalamazoo
Advantages
Kalamazoo offers a cost of living that is 14% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 37% lower.
The average commute time in Kalamazoo is 18.5 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
Kalamazoo's downtown area is highly walkable, with a Walk Score of 85, allowing residents to access amenities on foot.
Recent data indicates a positive trend in safety, with violent crime rates showing significant drops in 2024 and reaching 10-year lows in 2025.
The city has a strong presence of major employers in healthcare, education, and manufacturing, providing a stable job market.
Drawbacks
Kalamazoo has a higher crime rate compared to national averages, with a violent crime rate of 1283.5 per 100,000 residents.
The median household income in Kalamazoo ($52,272 in 2024) is lower than the national average.
While improving, Kalamazoo's safety profile is still a concern, with some sources ranking it among the more dangerous small cities in Michigan.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of bus routes, and the city has a high car dependency.
The unemployment rate in Kalamazoo County was 4.1% in 2024, which is slightly above the national average of 4.198% (though very close).
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.
Kalamazoo
#117Michigan, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,135
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
39.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kalamazoo and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator