Performance
Score Breakdown
Danville
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Danville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Danville's average rent is
29% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Danville | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,412 | -29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $229 | $281 | -19% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $2,404 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Danville offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Danville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Danville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Danville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,871 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,415 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $44,423 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Danville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Danville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
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 | Danville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Dallas 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 | Danville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,493 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Danville
Advantages
Danville boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city is experiencing substantial economic development, including a $1.6 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility creating over 1,800 jobs.
Danville's housing market is highly affordable, with a housing affordability index of 138 in 2024, well above the state average.
The tourism sector in Danville is Virginia's fastest-growing, with visitor spending increasing by 23.5% in 2024.
Sovah Health Danville received an 'A' safety grade in Spring 2024, indicating high-quality care in specific medical procedures and conditions.
Drawbacks
Danville's overall population is projected to decline annually, primarily due to deaths outnumbering births, despite positive in-migration.
The city has a higher total crime index (145 in 2024) compared to the national average (100), indicating a greater prevalence of crime.
Danville is a car-dependent city, with a low Walk Score of 26, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median household income in Danville ($44,423 in 2024) is significantly lower than the statewide median income.
Sovah Health Danville has an overall CMS hospital rating of 2 out of 5 stars as of April 2026, suggesting areas for improvement in overall quality despite good safety.
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.
Danville
#72Virginia, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$63,871
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Danville and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator