City Comparison
Slidell vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Slidell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Slidell
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Slidell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Dallas.
| Metric | Slidell | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,384 | $1,412 | -2% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $206 | $281 | -27% |
| Transport | $100 | $126 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,340 | $2,404 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Slidell offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Slidell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Slidell is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Slidell | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $70,497 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Slidell | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Slidell.
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 | Slidell | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 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, Slidell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Slidell | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,561 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Slidell
Advantages
Cost of living is 5.2% lower than the national average, with housing being 10.8% less expensive.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national average, offering affordable housing options.
The city offers a good quality of life with a suburban feel, access to amenities, and community events.
Healthcare facilities, including Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Health centers, provide comprehensive medical services.
Slidell has a relatively low violent crime rate, with some sources indicating it is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating a high dependency on personal vehicles for transportation.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are near or slightly above the national average according to some reports.
The job market experienced a slight employment decline in recent years, though broader regional growth exists.
Humidity levels are high, typical of the Gulf Coast region, which can impact comfort during warmer months.
Public transit options are limited, making car ownership almost essential for daily life.
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.
Slidell
#423Louisiana, USA
57.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,384
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
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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