Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
16% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Burlington | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,635 | $1,412 | +16% |
| Groceries | $330 | $450 | -27% |
| Utilities | $111 | $281 | -60% |
| Transport | $72 | $126 | -43% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $135 | -48% |
| Monthly Total | $2,218 | $2,404 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 18% 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 Burlington is estimated at
$58,490 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Burlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,679 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $58,490 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,446 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $77,330 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Burlington 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 | Burlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,805 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Consistently ranked as a top livable city in Canada, with 95% of residents rating their quality of life as 'Good' or 'Excellent'.
Strong and diversified economy with key industries including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and IT Communications.
Strategic location within the Golden Horseshoe, offering excellent transportation links to major cities like Toronto.
Abundant natural attractions, including Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous parks and trails.
Access to high-quality healthcare services through Joseph Brant Hospital, a comprehensive community teaching hospital.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the Canadian national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent for apartments is relatively high, with a 1-bedroom averaging $1,406 USD and a 2-bedroom averaging $1,684 USD.
While generally safe, some residents in 2024 expressed concerns about a perceived decline in safety.
Car dependency is medium, and specific public transit and walkability scores are not widely published, suggesting reliance on personal vehicles for many areas.
Limited number of general hospitals, with Joseph Brant Hospital being the primary facility for the city.
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.
Burlington
#1Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,635
Avg Salary
$49,679
Cost Index
85
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
78
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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