City Comparison
Wasilla vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wasilla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wasilla
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Wasilla.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wasilla's average rent is
41% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Wasilla | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,995 | $1,412 | +41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,404 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wasilla offers 10% 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 Wasilla is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Wasilla | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,234 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,110 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $67,234 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wasilla runs warmer on average — a 39.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wasilla sees 84.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wasilla | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 84.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
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 | Wasilla | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla 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 | Wasilla | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,720 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.81% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wasilla
Advantages
Median property values and overall housing costs remain more accessible than in nearby Anchorage.
Statewide absence of personal income tax and state sales tax helps offset higher daily living expenses.
Unmatched access to world-class outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and winter sports.
Robust local medical infrastructure anchored by the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Strong community spirit and family-oriented neighborhoods with rich cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy seasonal snowfall averaging 84.9 inches require rigorous preparedness.
High reliance on automobiles with significant traffic congestion along the Parks Highway during peak commutes.
Elevated utility and grocery costs driven by long-distance shipping logistics to Alaska.
Property crime rates that trend slightly above national averages for similarly sized communities.
Limited public transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
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.
Wasilla
#466Alaska, USA
54.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$67,234
Cost Index
122
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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