Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
55% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $1,412 | +55% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $220 | $281 | -22% |
| Transport | $180 | $126 | +43% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $135 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $2,404 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bel Air South offers 2% 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 Bel Air South is estimated at
$65,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
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 | Bel Air South | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
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.
Bel Air South
#49Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
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
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