Performance
Score Breakdown
Macau
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Macau's average rent is
21% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Macau | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,117 | $1,412 | -21% |
| Groceries | $425 | $450 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $24 | $126 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $1,996 | $2,404 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 56% 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 Macau is estimated at
$35,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Macau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $26,796 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,796 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $58,835 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Macau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Macau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Macau.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Macau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Macau | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 723,188 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.16% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 1.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Macau
Advantages
Macau has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, reaching 83.5 years in 2025.
The city boasts a strong economy with a high GDP per capita, driven by its prominent tourism and gaming industries.
Macau maintains a generally safe environment with low crime rates, contributing to a high quality of life.
The median monthly employment earnings in Macau were MOP 18,000 (approximately $2,233 USD) as of 2024, indicating a competitive salary landscape.
Residential rents in Macau saw a year-on-year increase in 2024, marking the first rise since 2019, indicating a strengthening rental market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Macau is very high, with a single person estimated to cost $4125 per month.
Housing costs are a significant burden, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at $1,069.
Macau is the second most densely populated region in the world, leading to space constraints.
The median age in Macau is 40.3 years, indicating a rapidly aging population.
While the economy is strong, there is an uneven distribution of wealth between gaming/financial and service workers.
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.
Macau
#1Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,117
Avg Salary
$26,796
Cost Index
100
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
1.60%
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
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