Which is the better city to live in: Dallas or Houston?
Here are a few quick facts about each city.
Quick Dallas Facts
In 2018, Dallas’ estimated population was said to be 1,345,047 (Bureau of U.S. Census).
That makes Dallas the third most populous city in Texas, Houston and San Antonio being first and second. It’s also the ninth most populous city in the U.S.
The City is described as a “beta(+)” global city. The economy is highly diverse, while the main sectors are defense, information technology, financial services, transportation and telecommunications.
Quick Houston Facts
The estimated population of Houston as of 2018 was said to be 2,325,502 (Bureau of U.S. Census). This makes it the most populous city in the state of Texas. It’s also the fourth most populous city in the U.S.
The City was founded in 1836 by land speculators.
The name is taken from the former General – Sam Houston.
Sam Houston won independence from Mexico for Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto on 21 April, 1836.
Advantages of Living in Dallas
It is said that in Texas, everything is bigger and everything is better. Well, you could say that they are right about the first part – in Texas, everything is BIG. The homes, the cars, the personalities: BIG.
When you come to Dallas, it’s all about full-swing Southern charm. It’s a great city, with plenty to love about it.
1 City of opportunity
There is consistent job growth in Dallas.
A number of the largest companies worldwide are headquartered in the City, inclusive of ExxonMobil, AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and JCPenny.
2 Cost of living
According to bestplaces.com, the cost of living in Dallas, on average, is quite a bit above the national average.
So, how can this possibly be an advantage with regards to living here?
Essentially, on the bestplaces.com scale, the average cost of living for the U.S. is 100. The average for the state of Texas is 101.8. The average for Dallas is 107.7.
It’s not so much about the cost of housing that is high in Dallas in comparison to the national average. The cost of housing is almost the same as the U.S. national average.
The cost of groceries are quite a bit cheaper in Dallas than the national average and the state average.
Have a look at bestplaces for more info.
3 Top schools
Education is taken seriously here.
As such, for families that are relocating to Dallas, you can be assured that in Dallas, there’s some of the best education available in the entire country.
Here is a list of the best elementary, middle and high schools in Dallas.
4 Southern hospitality
People that live in Dallas tend to have a laid-back and friendly attitude to life.
It’s easy to make friends here.
The general rule is that Southerners enjoy being sociable. Regardless that Dallas is a big city, there’s still plenty of “neighborliness.”
5 Famous sports teams and things to do and see in Dallas
There are always plenty of things to do and see in any sizable city, and Dallas, like Houston, is no different.
In terms of sports and famous teams belonging to Dallas, there’s the Dallas Cowboys (football), Dallas Mavericks (basketball), FC Dallas (soccer), Dallas Stars (ice hockey).
Otherwise, here is an extensive list of things to see and do in Dallas.
Disadvantages of Living in Dallas
No city life is without some disadvantages. And it’s no different in Dallas.
Here are a few of the major disadvantages of living in Dallas.
1 The traffic
Most cities suffer from traffic congestion. And Dallas is no different.
The City may have some of the best in terms of highways and roadway systems nationwide, but the congestion problem doesn’t just go away.
Regardless of how good your traffic system, as one of the largest cities in the U.S., traffic congestion is always going to be a problem. At least for the foreseeable future.
2 Public transport
Dallas, as a city, is not walkable. But that doesn’t mean that public transport is good. It’s not.
Public transport in this city is not very reliable.
There’s the Area Rapid Transport light rail system, otherwise known as DART.
This, the DART light rail, is ideal for commuters and for tourists. It runs every 10 minutes throughout rush-hour time. However, outside of rush hours, the DART journeys at only twice per hour.
Buses in Dallas are pretty decent. But if you’re traveling across City, chances are you’ll have to change a few times.
3 Crime rate
According to bestplaces.net, when it comes to crime stats, Dallas isn’t looking too good. Though it pales in comparison to Houston.
On a scale where one is extremely low and 100 is extremely high, property crime for Dallas currently stands at 50.7. The national average for property crimes is 35.4.
Violent crime? Dallas stands at 37.0 on the scale for violent crime. The national average for violent crime is 22.7.
4 Tropical storms
The state of Texas experiences the most tropical storms in all of the U.S.
5 Mosquitoes
The Dallas-Fort Worth metro areas’ mosquito problem is among the worst in the entire country.
Advantages of Living in Houston
Along with its sprawling 627 square miles, the Bayou City is still growing. It’s a very ethnically-diverse city with a highly thriving job market, an affordable cost of living, an eclectic food scene, and a whole lot to do.
1 Thriving job market
For many of its new residents, it’s the thriving job market that is the biggest draw.
The major industries here are oil and gas, healthcare, aerospace and manufacturing. But there are many other big-industry players, too.
2 Cost of living
Though the overall cost of living here, according to bestplaces.net, is, in fact, a little higher than the national average, and ever so slightly higher than the state average, we’ve included the cost of living in Houston as being an advantage.
Why an advantage?
Because the cost of housing is actually lower than the national average and lower than the state average.
The cost of groceries in Houston, on average, are quite a bit cheaper than elsewhere, too.
Cost of utilities – again, cheaper in Houston than the national and the state averages.
3 Green
Houston is a “green” city. It has more than 50,000 acres of park land, and that’s inside the city limits.
More recently, the City has seen an extensive transformation in terms of its green spaces. They’ve added new parks and beautified older ones.
There are more biking and nature trails now, too – more than at anytime previously.
4 Sports teams and things to do and see in Houston
There are always plenty of things to do and see in any sizable city, and Houston is no different.
In terms of sports and famous teams belonging to Houston, there’s the Houston Rockets (NBA), the Astros (MLB), the Houston Rockets (NBA), and the Houston Dynamo (soccer).
Otherwise, here is an extensive list of things to see and do in Houston.
Disadvantages of Living in Houston, Texas
1 The traffic
Houston suffers from traffic congestion, as does Dallas.
Houston, as is Dallas, is a sprawling metropolis. There are bound to be traffic-congestion problems.
The freeway system in Houston (and Dallas) is already huge, and it constantly expands. However, you can say the same about the population.
2 Public transport
It’s a major city, and yet, just like Dallas, it’s well behind in terms of public transportation.
Fortuitously, in recent years, there have been some improvements – namely, the METRORail light rail system.
This light rail system offers park and ride services for downtown commuters.
All the same, with a couple of major airports, it’s easy to travel domestically and internationally.
There’s the George H. Bush Intercontinental Airport to the north of Houston. This is a hub for United Airlines.
And there’s the William P. Hobby International Airport to the southeast of central Houston. This airport serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines.
3 Tropical storms
The state of Texas is regarded as being the worst state in the U.S. in terms of the amount of tropical storms experienced.
4 Crime rate
According to bestplaces.net, when it comes to crime stats, Houston, like Dallas, isn’t looking too good.
On a scale where one is extremely low and 100 is extremely high, property crime for Houston currently stands at 63.2. The national average for property crimes is 35.4.
Violent crime? Dallas stands at 37.0 on the scale for violent crime. Houston, though, is rated at 50.4 on the scale for violent crime. The national average for violent crime is 22.7.
5 Mosquitoes
With heat and humidity comes an ideal breeding ground for the mosquitoes.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
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FAQs
Is it better to move to Dallas or Houston? ›
Because of its size, there's more to do in Houston. The city has a larger diversity of restaurants, museums, stores, businesses, and other points of interests. Both Dallas and Houston are awesome cities, but if you're looking for more entertainment, Houston is the best pick.
What city is safer Dallas or Houston? ›Dallas is far better, it is cleaner, much safer and much more organized because of heavy zoning laws in Big D. Both have very bad traffic but Dallas is so much cleaner and loaded with more outdoor areas you can really enjoy.
What are the pros and cons of living in Dallas? ›| Pros of Living in Dallas | Cons of Living in Dallas |
|---|---|
| 4. Car Not Always Necessary | 4. Urban Sprawl (and Overcrowding) |
| 5. Doctor's Availability | 5. Steep Property Taxes |
| 6. Thriving Job Market | 6. Moderately High Sales Taxes |
| 7. Plenty of Outdoor Activities | 7. High Transportation Costs |
- Pro: A diverse metropolis.
- Con: Lack of public transportation.
- Pro: Lots of sports to watch.
- Con: Traffic.
- Pro: Ample arts and recreation.
- Con: Heat and humidity.
- Pro: A food haven.
- Con: Tropical storms.
A total of 18 billionaires live in Dallas with a combined net worth of $57.9 billion. Of Dallas residents with a minimum 10-figure net worth, Jerry Jones is the wealthiest, worth an estimated $8.7 billion. Houston is the city with the second most billionaires with the highest combined net worth in Texas.
Are houses cheaper in Houston or Dallas? ›Overall, Dallas is a bit more expensive to live in than Houston. The Dallas metro currently is home to 6,397,000 people with an increase of 1.52% from 2020. Dallas has an attractive downtown area that newcomers to Texas find appealing.
Is crime worse in Houston or Dallas? ›The crime rate in Houston, Texas is 5.32 and is higher than the crime rate in Dallas, Texas of 4.25. Houston, Texas earns a score of 1 out of 10 compared to a score of 1 out of 10 in Houston, Texas. Crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population.
Is traffic worse in Dallas or Houston? ›On average, Dallas commuters spend less time waiting in traffic than their counterparts in Houston. It's almost as bad as Chicago's traffic, but Dallas has several freeways that allow you to get around congestion. The real concern is with accidents and crashes.
Is moving to Dallas a good idea? ›An excellent place to live, Dallas is considered one of the best places to live in Texas and is popular among young professionals and families looking to relocate to the lone star state. Considered one of the safest big cities in America, Dallas takes pride in its well-maintained streets and sought-after neighborhoods.
Why people are moving to Dallas? ›Dallas/Fort Worth is a great place to live. It has great weather, it's safe, it has multiple attractions, and more. Even better, HistoryMaker Homes has a home and community within the area that'll answer one more question, where can I find a quality home to live in?
What are the biggest problems in Houston? ›
In particular, the cost of living—including housing and gasoline costs—was most frequently cited by respondents in the Kinder Houston Area Survey as the biggest problem facing people in the city.
Is it smart to move to Houston? ›A: Impressive job opportunities, low cost of living, zero income tax and warm weather year-round are just a few of the qualities that make Houston a great place to live. Families, young professionals and retirees can all find a place in Space City to carve out a fine life.
What city in Texas makes the most money? ›- The richest city in Texas is Highland Park. ...
- Hunters Creek Village is another one of the wealthiest cities in Texas. ...
- Located only minutes from downtown Houston, West University Place is an affluent, highly-sought after neighborhood. ...
- University Park is considered one of the overall most affluent neighborhoods in Texas.
Dallas is both hotter and colder than Houston. It is also much less humid. Dallas is on the southern edge of the great plains.
Are apartments cheaper in Dallas or Houston? ›Houston tends to have lower average rent prices for luxury apartments than Austin and Dallas.
Is Houston a good place to buy a house? ›If you want to increase your cash flow in 2023, you will find great deals in the Houston real estate market. Houston has been one of the hottest real estate markets in the country for years. It is also one of the hottest real estate markets for investing in rental properties.
What part of Texas has the most affordable homes? ›- Breckenridge. The cheapest place to live in Texas is Breckenridge. ...
- Beaumont. The second cheapest city in Texas is Beaumont. ...
- Wichita Falls. Located in north-central Texas, Wichita Falls is a cheap destination for nature lovers. ...
- Harlingen. ...
- Texarkana. ...
- Abilene. ...
- Amarillo. ...
- Odessa.
1. DALLAS, TEXAS. As the ninth-largest city in the country, Dallas makes good on the Texan promise of going big.
What is the #1 place to live in Texas? ›1. Austin. Austin is one of the best places to live in Texas for its diverse culture and outdoorsy activities. It's also a college town, the state capital, and it has a healthy economy.
What Texas city has the lowest crime rate? ›Frisco, Texas, was ranked as the safest city in the nation for a second year in a row, according to a new report from SmartAsset. The city, located north of Dallas, was joined by McKinney and McAllen, Texas, which ranked second and third overall, respectively.
Where is the lowest crime rate in Houston Texas? ›
- Downtown Houston.
- Kingwood.
- Midtown.
- Spring Branch.
- Sugar Land.
Northwest. Northwest Houston is one of the most dangerous areas in the city, with crime rates that are 48% higher than the national average. Violent crime rates are even higher, at 131% of the US average. In Northwest Houston, residents have a 1 in 29 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.
Is Dallas growing faster than Houston? ›Dallas experienced the largest population growth in the U.S over the last year. Houston and Austin also rank in top five. Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes the population booms.
Is Houston safe to move? ›The Crime Rate Is High, but There Are Plenty of Ways to Be Safe. If you're worried about crime, be aware that Houston's crime rate is ranked higher than most U.S. cities. Residents have a 1 in 18 chance of being the victim of violent or property crime — making Houston one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in America ...
Is Houston Texas friendly? ›Prized for its diversity, Houston is considered one of the best places to live in Texas due to its quality of life and welcoming atmosphere. Best known for its space exploration, energy industry, and affordable cost of living, it is no wonder why Houston has become a top destination for relocation.
Which part of Dallas is the safest? ›- University Park.
- Highland Park.
- Center City District.
- Main Street District.
- Government District.
- Farmers Market District.
- West End Historic District.
- Far North.
- Deep Ellum.
- Lake Highlands.
- Oak Lawn.
- West End.
- Winnetka Heights.
Dallas. Dallas has a little bit of everything, from restaurants to dining options. But what makes it one of the best places to retire in Texas is its relatively low housing prices. The city is also home to UT Southwestern Medical Center, one of the top hospitals in the country.
What you should know before moving to Dallas? ›- Dallas is enormous! ...
- Each neighborhood and city has its own vibe depending on what you want. ...
- The cost of living in Dallas continues to rise. ...
- Traffic is unavoidable in Dallas. ...
- Dallas has public transportation. ...
- Taxes work differently in Texas. ...
- The Dallas job market is hot.
Dallas is home to more than a dozen neighborhoods and districts that each have their own distinct vibe and attractions. From spectacular museums and performing arts venues in the Arts District, to the buzzing nightlife of live music at cool bars in Deep Ellum, Dallas has a place for everyone.
What is the coldest month in Dallas? ›
Dallas, TX – Monthly Averages & Records – from Intellicast
On average, the coolest month is January. The lowest recorded temperature was -8°F in 1899.
A new study from personal finance website WalletHub ranks the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb as the happiest place in Texas and the 22nd happiest city in the U.S.
Does Dallas get tornadoes? ›Texas is the most tornado-prone state in the U.S., averaging roughly 136 twisters each year. In 2022, the Longhorn State experienced 159 twisters — the most of any other state — with many of those pummeling Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and other areas of eastern Texas.
What are problems in Houston? ›...
Flooding, Violent Crime Top Concerns of Harris County Residents
- Failing public schools 55%
- Streets in poor condition 53%
- Homeless population 52%
- Lack of access to health care 51%
- Traffic congestion 50%
In 2022, there were about 3,200 homeless on the streets. HOUSTON — Getting people off the streets has been Houston's goal for many years -- the city has been working to get the homeless into more permanent housing. Houston has been recognized nationally for its progress to reduce homelessness by providing housing.
What are the worst drug areas in Houston? ›Link Valley is a community in southwestern Houston, Texas that consists of many apartment complexes. In the late 1980s it was nicknamed "Death Valley" due to high levels of drug-related and violent crime.
What do I need to know before moving to Houston Texas? ›- It's Beyonce's hometown. First things first. ...
- It's also NASA's hometown. ...
- You'll need a car. ...
- You'll need insect repellent, too. ...
- Houston is growing quickly. ...
- It's a diverse city. ...
- Home prices are relatively low. ...
- Commutes are long.
One of the BIG reasons to move to Texas from California is the taxes. California state income tax is the highest in the country, on all levels. Californians pay as much as 13.3% in state income tax and, depending on local rates, between 7.25% and 10.75% in sales tax.
What is the safest area to live in Houston? ›- Bunker Hill Village.
- Hunters Creek Village.
- Midtown.
- West University Place.
- Sugar Land.
- Galena Park.
- Kingwood.
- Downtown Houston.
Houston is a metropolitan hub of activity, art, culture, and food. It's a great place to spend time, but many homeowners are leaving urban cores all over the country to settle in suburbs or nearby neighborhoods. More space, better school districts, and a quieter Texas countryside feel are just a few of the reasons.
Is living in Houston worth it? ›
A: It is totally worth it to move to Houston! Houston offers affordable housing, low cost of living, no state income tax, diverse culture, amazing food — the list goes on. As long as you don't mind some hot weather and honky-tonk, Houston is a great place to live.
What side of Houston is rich? ›The richest neighborhood in Houston is River Oaks. Located on the city's west side near Memorial Park, this area is known as a wealthy community filled with first-class excellence. From the majestic oak trees lining its streets to the exciting local eateries and social clubs, River Oaks is ideal for luxury living.
Is moving to Dallas Texas A Good Idea? ›An excellent place to live, Dallas is considered one of the best places to live in Texas and is popular among young professionals and families looking to relocate to the lone star state. Considered one of the safest big cities in America, Dallas takes pride in its well-maintained streets and sought-after neighborhoods.
Is Dallas cheaper to live than Houston? ›Cost of Living Comparison Between Houston, TX and Dallas, TX
You would need around 5,935.6$ in Dallas, TX to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 5,200.0$ in Houston, TX (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare cost of living.
A: Impressive job opportunities, low cost of living, zero income tax and warm weather year-round are just a few of the qualities that make Houston a great place to live. Families, young professionals and retirees can all find a place in Space City to carve out a fine life.
Is crime worse in Dallas or Houston? ›The violent crime rate in Houston, Texas is 1.21 and is higher than the violent crime rate in Dallas, Texas of 0.83. Houston, Texas earns a score of 1 out of 10 compared to a score of 1 out of 10 in Dallas, Texas.
Is Houston hotter than Dallas? ›Houston, being about 240 miles south of Dallas and a little bit further to Fort Worth, which is 33 miles West of Dallas. Houston is on average about 3 to 4 degrees warmer.
What are the benefits of living in Houston? ›Houston offers affordable housing, low cost of living, no state income tax, diverse culture, amazing food — the list goes on. As long as you don't mind some hot weather and honky-tonk, Houston is a great place to live.
Why would people move to Houston? ›Prized for its diversity, Houston is considered one of the best places to live in Texas due to its quality of life and welcoming atmosphere. Best known for its space exploration, energy industry, and affordable cost of living, it is no wonder why Houston has become a top destination for relocation.