Top 14 Things To Know About Living in Dallas Before Making the Move
TexasDallas
TL;DR: Living in Dallas, Texas Living in Dallas is great — there’s a strong job market, tons of stuff to do, mild winters, and a relatively low cost of living. It’s not all perfect, though. Summers can be stiflingly hot, crime rates are notable, and the commuter traffic isn’t ideal — unless you love listening to podcasts and audiobooks. |
Are the mild winters and booming economy of Dallas calling your name? You’re not the only one. People are moving to Dallas from all over the country for its good jobs, vibrant culture, and affordable homes — and those living in Dallas understand why.
But before you decide to relocate, you might want to learn more about what life in Dallas is really like. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. These are 14 things you need to know before you make living in Dallas a permanent arrangement.
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Living in Dallas at a Glance
- Population: Dallas’s population is over 1.3 million
- Median age: The median age in Dallas is 33.
- City size: Dallas’s total area is about 343 square miles.
- Location: Dallas is located in North Texas, approximately 30 miles east of Fort Worth and about 250 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico.
- Fun fact: In 1971, a Dallas restaurateur named Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine. You can see it now in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas, Texas
Like any major metro, there are pros and cons to living in Dallas. The city boasts a significantly lower cost of living than other major hubs like New York and San Francisco, while still being among the 10 largest cities in the U.S. However, since the Dallas-Fort Worth area is so huge, you’ll definitely need a car to get around. Winters are nice and mild, but summers are stiflingly hot. And while there are definitely safe places to live in Dallas, the city’s overall crime rates are higher than in many other parts of the country, with a Dallas crime index of 3 (meaning it’s safer than just 3 percent of other American cities).
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1. The Cost of Living in Dallas is Cheaper Than in Other Places
Living in Dallas doesn’t require millionaire status. The city’s median household income is about $70,500, which is higher than the national average. And though the cost of living as a whole is on par with the national average, some typical expenses, such as groceries, housing, and healthcare, cost less than the national average.
RentCafe lists the average monthly rent in the city to be around $1,600, which is lower than the national average of $1,750. And the average home value in Dallas is around $312,000, according to Zillow, over $56,000 less than the national average home value of $368,200. Compare that to Miami ($581,000), Denver ($541,900), or San Francisco ($1.4M), and you can see why people are moving to Texas.
2. Homeownership Is Attainable in DFW
If you’re moving to Dallas from another major city, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the housing options. You can easily find a beautiful and historic three-bedroom home when you’re moving to Dallas for a little more than $300,000. Newer developments, however, tend to be pricier.
3. Renting in Dallas Is Easy and Affordable
As we said before, the average rent in Dallas is $1,600 a month, which is 10 percent lower than the national average. Of course, how much you pay will depend on which Dallas neighborhoods and what kinds of apartments you’re looking at.
You could end up paying upwards of $2,600 if you want to shack up in one of the city’s luxury apartment buildings, like The Mondrian. Still, for many folks, the views, in-house amenities, and, of course, the swimming pools will make higher-end apartments worth the price of living in Dallas.
4. The Best Dallas Neighborhoods and Suburbs Include Uptown, Oak Lawn, and Frisco
When it comes to living in Dallas, there are dozens of great communities to choose from. Here are three that really stand out:
Uptown
Uptown is a beautiful Dallas neighborhood located just north of downtown and home to plenty of young professionals, small families, and wealthy retirees. It’s known for having stately, tree-lined streets, amazing restaurants, and classy nightlife.
Oak Lawn
One of the cultural centers of Dallas, Oak Lawn, is home to tons of great stores and venues. It’s also much more affordable than some other neighborhoods, like Uptown, making it ideal for renters and first-time home buyers.
Frisco, TX
Frisco is one of Dallas’ largest and most established suburbs. In fact, it’s basically a town of its own, offering everything that a family could need. It’s the location of the Dallas Cowboys corporate headquarters and Toyota Stadium, making it a perfect home for sports lovers.
To learn more about the 10 best Dallas suburbs, check out our guide, which includes these other popular neighborhoods and areas:
- Coppell: A family-friendly enclave with top-rated schools, outdoor recreation, easy airport access, and a renowned local farmers' market
- McKinney: An affluent area with a historic downtown, free trolley, tons of shopping, and several golf courses.
- Allen: A quaint yet popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its diverse offerings, like wakeboarding, ice skating, and a nature preserve
It may just be a short drive away, but Fort Worth is a distinct city in its own right, with an impressive entertainment scene to boot — yet another perk of living in Dallas.
5. Fort Worth Is a City, Not a Dallas Suburb
If you’re unsure about moving to Dallas, TX, consider Fort Worth instead. While we don’t recommend commuting between the two cities, if you have flexibility, Fort Worth (or FunkyTown, as locals call it) is a distinct city in its own right.
You may get more for your money in Fort Worth, where the average home value is a few thousand dollars lower than in Dallas. And while you’re looking, be sure to check out our insider’s guide on moving to Ft Worth, TX.
6. Living in Dallas Is Greener Than You Might Think
Is Dallas a good place to live for outdoor lovers? You may not think so, but it actually is! Dallas has plenty of trees and open space, with a whopping 21,000 acres of green space. While there are hundreds of parks, greenways, and other ways to enjoy Dallas life outdoors, here are a few of our favorite eco-friendly aspects about living in Dallas:
Great Trinity Forest
Recognized as the largest urban forest in the entire U.S., the forest extends off the north shore of the gorgeous Trinity River in the southern section of the city. It’s full of trails, picnic spots, wetlands, and the Trinity Forest Adventure Park.
White Rock Lake Park
This 1,015-acre body of water sits just a few miles northeast of Downtown Dallas, and it’s an outdoor oasis for the young and old. You can use the park’s nine miles of hiking and biking trails, check out the museum, take your four-legged buddy to the dog park, use the picnic areas, or float a boat across the scenic lake.
Dallas Zoo
It’s no surprise that visiting the Dallas Zoo is one of the most popular things to do in the city. This huge facility is home to more than 2,000 animals and 406 different species, including many endangered ones.
Klyde Warren Park
This 5.4-acre park may not be as large as some of the city’s other outdoor spaces, but it has so much to offer. It’s home to a butterfly garden, dog park, yoga classes, movie screenings, and plenty of other events.
7. There Are Great Schools in Dallas, TX
According to Niche, 10 of Texas’s top 25 schools are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including the No. 4 and No. 5 spots. A few of the best high schools in Dallas, TX, include:
- School for the Talented & Gifted: No. 1 public high school in Texas
- School of Science & Engineering: No. 2 public high school in Texas
- St. Mark's School of Texas: No. 2 all-boys high school in the U.S.
- The Hockaday School: No. 1 all-girls high school in Texas
- Alcuin School: No. 3 high school for the arts in Texas
8. Dallas Is a Very Diverse City
Considering leaving New York City? You can find a different American “melting pot” living in Dallas, Texas. While it was historically a very white cowboy town, in recent years, the city has diversified dramatically. Now, about 43 percent of the city is Hispanic (it’s 29 percent in NYC), and 23 percent of the city is Black or African-American (22 percent in NYC). It’s an awesome place for those who want to raise their families in a diverse setting.
Plus, approximately 23 percent of the population of Dallas is foreign-born, meaning that the city has a rich international feel. That also means unique restaurants and easy access to food from around the world. So whether you’re in the mood for Mexican, Mediterranean, Colombian, Taiwanese, or Ethiopian cuisine (to name a few), there’s always a local restaurant around to satisfy your cravings.
During June, July, and August, the average high in Dallas is above 90°F. And the thermometer will regularly peak above 100. Yikes!
9. Summers Get (Very) Hot, but the Winters Are Mild
If you think it gets hot where you live, you'd better check out the Dallas weather. During June, July, and August, the average high is above 90°F. And the thermometer will regularly peak above 100. Yikes!
Living in Dallas wouldn’t be complete without a little bit of heat. You can always cool off in a pool or in the shade of a large elm tree. Plus, there’s a tradeoff: The winters are very mild.
Is Dallas nice in the winter? If you’re not a fan of snow and low temps, you’ll love living in Dallas, as the city almost never sees snow, and winter days often hover in the high 50s and low 60s. That’s like a beautiful summer day in Maine or Montana.
10. Crime Rates Are Higher Than Average, but There Are Plenty of Safe Dallas Neighborhoods and Suburbs To Live In
We’ll be honest, NeighborhoodScout gives the Big D a score of just 3 (out of 100), meaning that it’s only safer than 3 percent of other American cities. But it’s best to take these types of ratings with a grain of salt, as other major metropolitan areas have similar scores (like New York City), and there are plenty of safe places to call home when you’re living in Dallas. If you take reasonable precautions, you can be just as secure as anywhere else.
Best Dallas Neighborhoods for Safety
- Lake Highlands West and Southwest
- Northhaven Park
- Prestonwood
- Frankford Rd
- Lakewood
Best Dallas Suburbs for Safety
- Coppell, TX
- Flower Mound, TX
- Colleyville, TX
- Frisco, TX
11. Dallas Culture Goes Way Beyond Cowboys
It’s not just the awesome food in Dallas that makes it a cultural hub. After you eat out, you can go to one of the city’s many museums or galleries. Or you can catch a performance.
It doesn’t matter whether you like music, opera, or comedy — Dallas has something for you. And pretty much every major band that tours through the U.S. South will hit Dallas.
If you’re moving to Dallas, be sure to check out the listings at these performance venues to find the best culture Dallas has to offer.
Winspear Opera House
Part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, this venue is home to The Dallas Opera and hosts many touring shows.
Moody Performance Hall
Moody Hall is another venue in the AT&T Performing Arts Center that is home to amazing ballets, symphonies, and more.
Sammons Center for the Arts
This smaller venue acts as an “arts incubator” for small troupes, new projects, and the local artist community in general.
Annette Strauss Square
This 128,000-square-foot outdoor performance space is also part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and is perfect for large concerts.
If you’re moving to Dallas, you should probably take a look at the map and learn a few of the major freeways that criss-cross and circle around the Big D.
(Source: Google Maps)
12. It's No Surprise: You Will Need a Car While Living in Dallas
Okay, living in Dallas doesn’t necessarily mean you need a car, but it will make your life a lot easier. The city is huge on its own, but when you include the Fort Worth area, it’s enormous. It can take hours just to drive from one end to the other.
And if you’re moving to Dallas, you should probably take a look at the map and learn a few of the major freeways that criss-cross and circle around the Big D, like I-820, I-30, and I-635. These will be your lifeline when you’re commuting in the area.
For those who don’t have a car (or are just trying to be greener), there are some public transit options. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit System (which everyone calls DART) is a huge train and bus system that will get you pretty much anywhere. There is also a downtown trolley system and plenty of airport shuttles.
13. You Can Easily Earn a Degree in Dallas
Is Dallas a good place to live for college students? If you (or one of your kids) are interested in pursuing higher education, then Dallas is a great place to be. The city is home to the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, and it’s just a few miles from Texas A&M. In fact, there are 38 universities and colleges in the DFW metro area.
14. The 10 Best Things To Do in Dallas Are …
Looking for something to keep the whole family occupied on a weekend? Or maybe you’re wondering, “Is Dallas nice for singles looking for fun date options?” Either way, there’s no shortage of entertaining stuff to do in Dallas.
Here’s a list of our 10 favorite ways to experience a slice of Dallas living (in no particular order).
- Visit the Dallas World Aquarium.
- Go to the African American Museum.
- Check out the Dallas Museum of Art.
- Visit the animals at the famous Dallas Zoo.
- Learn about JFK at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
- Hang with the plants at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden.
- Go root for the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
- Stroll through Nasher Sculpture Park.
- Get a drink and see a show in Deep Ellum.
- Check out a Bonnie and Clyde Tour.
Living in Dallas — FAQs
Q: Is Dallas, TX, a good place to live?
A: Is Dallas a good place to live? Yes, living in Dallas, TX, is a great choice, especially for those looking for mild winters and a lower cost of living than many other major cities (while still being a big city).
Q: What are the downsides of moving to Dallas?
A: Living in Dallas has lots of perks (hello, no state income tax), but there are some disadvantages to moving to Dallas, too. For one, the traffic can be brutal, so expect long commutes if you’re driving into downtown. Public transportation is also pretty limited, meaning you'll almost definitely need a car. And the summers? They’re relentlessly humid, so pack your hat and sunscreen.
Q: What is a livable salary in Dallas, Texas?
A: The annual income required for a single adult living in Dallas is around $48,500 before taxes, per the MIT Living Wage Calculator. However, this only covers basic needs. So, is $120,000 a good salary in Dallas? Yes, it is. If you want to live more comfortably, with half of your income going to living expenses and half going to savings and “wants,” a single person would need an income closer to six figures.
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Move to Dallas With PODS
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Easton Smith works as a freelance writer and researcher, reviewing technology trends and the moving industry.
Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.
*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.
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