Dallas Vs. Houston: Which Is Better?

Cost of Living

Houston is the winner for both cost of living and purchasing power. Consumer prices are 10.9% higher in Dallas compared to Houston, and rent prices are 20.7% higher. The median sales price of a home in Dallas is $420,000, whereas the median price in Houston is only $315,000. Plus, the average price for a 1-bedroom apartment within the city is around $1,800 in Dallas and $1,580 in Houston. However, the purchasing power of average residents is also 13.2% lower in Dallas than in Houston, making the Bayou City the clear winner when it comes to the cost of living.

Winner: Houston

Weather 

The weather in both cities is similar, however, Dallas has a slight advantage with less humidity and more days of sunshine. According to the Koppen climate classification system, they both have a humid subtropical climate, which means hot, muggy summers and short, mild winters. Dallas tends to get hotter and colder than Houston but doesn’t have the same oppressive humidity. Houston also averages about 239 cloudy days per year, whereas Dallas only experiences about 179. Many residents say that Dallas experiences more seasonal change, while Houston is warm pretty much all year, but the summers can be sweltering with the humidity. So, while it’s fairly close, Dallas experiences more pleasant days out of the year overall.

Winner: Dallas

Public Transportation

Dallas and Houston both have large public transportation systems, and there is a heated debate over which is better. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system spans over 90 miles with 62 stations across 13 cities and moves an average of 96,000 people on weekdays and 57,000 on Saturdays. Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority is smaller in comparison, with only 23 miles of track across 44 stations all within Houston, and only averages about 63,000 riders on the weekdays and 31,000 on Saturdays. As a result, most experts say Dallas has the best public transportation system in Texas because it’s more comprehensive and offers easy connections to other cities and suburbs. 

Winner: Dallas 

Job Opportunities

Residents will find a plethora of job opportunities in both cities. However, Dallas has a slight advantage when it comes to diversity and future job growth. The GDP of the Dallas economy is around $513 billion and features a future job growth rate of 44.1%. Major industries in Dallas include IT services, finance, healthcare, media, and telecommunications. Houston’s economy has a GDP of around 454 billion and a job growth rate of 30.9%. The major industries in Houston are energy (specifically oil), healthcare, biomedical research, manufacturing, and aerospace. So, while both feature a stable economy with ample opportunity, Dallas is considered the larger, more modern economy with more jobs in tech and finance.

Winner: Dallas

Cuisine & Lifestyle 

Each city has a unique food scene and lifestyle that appeals to different demographics. Houston definitely has a more diverse culinary scene, with delicious barbecue, authentic Mexican restaurants, and a prominent Asian influence. Dallas is better known for its steakhouses and beef-centric restaurants, however it isn’t known for much beyond that. Houston also has a more urban character with more diverse neighborhoods, whereas Dallas is a bit more suburban and has a more cosmopolitan ambiance. So, which you prefer is more a matter of opinion, but Houston has the slight advantage due to its lower cost of living and plethora of food and entertainment options.

Winner: Houston

Crime Rates 

Although both are major urban areas and struggle with socio-economic issues like crime, poverty, and homelessness, Dallas tends to be a bit safer. The total crime rate in Houston is 5,317 per 100,000 residents, which is 127% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 1,211 per 100,000 residents, or 212% higher than the national average. Dallas has a total crime rate of 4,246 per 100,000 residents, which is 81% higher than the rest of the US, and a violent crime rate of 825 per 100,000 residents, 113% of the national average. So, while both cities experience a higher than-typical crime rate, Houston is more dangerous.

If you would like to learn more about their crime rates, check out our reports on the most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston and the most dangerous neighborhoods in Dallas.

Winner: Dallas

City Culture

The city culture is another category that’s up for debate. Houston has a distinctly Southern flair with friendly neighbors, great food, and unique community events like rodeos. Dallas is glitzier in comparison and offers a more upscale way of life that many describe as “nouveau riche.” Houston is grittier and more laidback, while Dallas is more sophisticated and modern. Dallas tends to be better for raising a family, whereas Houston is better for young professionals seeking affordable living and diversity. So, while both have something unique to offer, Houston wins this category because it may appeal to a wider demographic.

Winner: Houston

Commute Times

The average commute times for Dallas and Houston residents are neck and neck. However, Dallas has a slight advantage. Dallas residents spend, on average, 26.8 minutes commuting to work daily, whereas Houston residents spend 27.5 minutes daily. It’s a difference of less than one minute. However, it adds up to about 182 minutes annually across the 260 workable days in the calendar year. Dallas’s superior public transportation system likely plays a major role in faster commute times, making it the winner of this category.

Winner: Dallas  

Quality of Life Index

Dallas also has a slightly higher quality of life index score. The quality-of-life index is a system used to compare the lifestyles of the average resident by assigning a numeric score to key factors like cost of living, climate, healthcare, etc. The quality-of-life index score for Dallas is 174.05, compared to 168.99 for Houston. Although they are close in many categories, Houston’s crime and heavy traffic kept its score lower, despite a superior cost of living.

Dallas vs. Houston Winner Comparison

Dallas vs. Houston Bottom Line

Ultimately, Dallas and Houston are major cultural hubs with plenty to offer residents of all backgrounds. But Dallas ranks higher in several key metrics, such as safety, employment opportunity, and transportation, which gives it a slightly higher quality of life. Houston is still a fantastic city, offering affordable living and a unique culture. But when compared side by side, Dallas is the clear winner.