City Comparison
Markham vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Markham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Markham
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Markham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Markham's average rent is
38% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Markham | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,412 | +38% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $115 | $126 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,404 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Markham offers 12% higher 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 Markham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Markham | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Markham runs warmer on average — a 47°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Markham comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Markham sees 52.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Markham | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 52.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Markham.
Markham 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 | Markham | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Markham.
From a growth perspective, Markham 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 | Markham | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 338,503 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Markham
Advantages
Recognized as Canada's high-tech capital with over 1,000 technology companies providing robust employment opportunities.
Consistently ranks among the safest large municipalities in Canada with low violent crime rates.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in world-class dining, festivals, and community programs.
Access to top-tier public education systems and high-performing schools across York Region.
Extensive parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Canadian average.
High degree of car dependency in suburban neighborhoods leading to notable commuter traffic on major arteries.
Competitive rental market with elevated monthly costs for apartments and townhouses.
Property tax rates and municipal fees reflect the suburban infrastructure maintenance costs.
Cold winter climate featuring significant annual snowfall requires regular winter maintenance.
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.
Markham
#45Ontario, Canada
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
47.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
84
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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