Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
35% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Dallas | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,412 | $2,184 | -35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $281 | $231 | +22% |
| Transport | $126 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $150 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,404 | $3,015 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 25% higher 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 Dallas is estimated at
$96,970 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Dallas | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,900 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $96,970 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,297 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dallas | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
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 | Dallas | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dallas.
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 | Dallas | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | % |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Los Angeles
#69California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Dallas and Los Angeles.
Open Cost Calculator