City Comparison
Keene vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Keene scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Keene
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Keene is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Keene's average rent is
10% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Keene | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,412 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $200 | $281 | -29% |
| Transport | $50 | $126 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $95 | $135 | -30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,295 | $2,404 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Keene offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Keene delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Keene is estimated at
$65,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Keene | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,960 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,067 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $78,445 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Keene | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Keene | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Keene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Keene | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,036 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.07% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Keene
Advantages
Strong community feel and access to nature, including proximity to Mount Monadnock.
Lower cost of living compared to the national average and major New England cities.
Low violent crime rates, contributing to a high sense of safety and security.
Well-preserved historic downtown with a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Access to higher education institutions like Keene State College and Antioch University New England.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is moderate to high, with limited public transportation options.
Job market growth may be moderate compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall.
Median household income is below the national average.
Some residents note challenges with property crime and addiction issues.
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.
Keene
#279New Hampshire, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$63,960
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.07%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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