Performance
Score Breakdown
Anaheim
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
59% higher compared to Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anaheim's average rent is
76% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Anaheim | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,487 | $1,412 | +76% |
| Groceries | $411 | $450 | -9% |
| Utilities | $262 | $281 | -7% |
| Transport | $514 | $126 | +308% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $135 | +3% |
| Monthly Total | $3,813 | $2,404 | +59% |
| Cost Index | 149 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 36% lower 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 Anaheim is estimated at
$59,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Anaheim | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,182 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,297 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $95,227 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anaheim | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Anaheim | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 67.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Anaheim.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anaheim | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 346,597 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $22.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
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.
Anaheim
#65California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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