Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toronto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
19% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Toronto | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $1,412 | +19% |
| Groceries | $353 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $155 | $281 | -45% |
| Transport | $92 | $126 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $135 | -26% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $2,404 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toronto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Toronto | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Dallas.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
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.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
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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