City Comparison
Kettering vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kettering scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kettering
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kettering is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kettering's average rent is
19% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Kettering | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,412 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,404 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kettering delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kettering is estimated at
$48,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Kettering | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kettering runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kettering comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kettering sees 18.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kettering | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kettering has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 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 | Kettering | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 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, Kettering has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kettering | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,862 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kettering
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per Zillow and DataUSA data.
Exceptional local parks and recreation facilities, including the renowned Kettering Recreation Complex.
Strong public safety profile with violent and property crime rates well below national medians.
Proximity to major regional employment drivers including Kettering Health and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Well-rated local public school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Drawbacks
Aging housing stock in many neighborhoods may require ongoing maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high reliance on personal automobiles for daily errands.
Modest job growth rate compared to booming southern or western metropolitan hubs.
Winters can be cold and grey, requiring regular snow removal and property maintenance.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, often requiring travel into downtown Dayton.
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.
Kettering
#132Ohio, USA
65.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
79
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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