Performance
Score Breakdown
Centennial
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centennial is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centennial's average rent is
46% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Centennial | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,063 | $1,412 | +46% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $281 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $126 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $135 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,063 | $2,404 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 174% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Centennial | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $167,169 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $96,970 |
| Household Income | $131,928 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Centennial | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 51.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Centennial | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Centennial.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Centennial has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Centennial | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,178 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.48% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centennial
Advantages
Centennial has a very low crime rate, 50% below the national average, making it one of the safest major U.S. cities.
The city boasts a high quality of life, ranked #1 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report in 2025–2026.
Centennial has a strong job market and a high median household income of $131,928 as of 2024.
The public schools in Centennial are highly rated.
Residents benefit from a shorter average commute time (25.9 minutes) compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Centennial is higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent in Centennial is higher than the national average.
While public transit exists, the city still exhibits a medium car dependency.
The overall crime grade, while still good, is slightly higher than the average US city according to one source.
Some areas of Centennial have higher violent crime rates than others, particularly the northeast.
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.
Centennial
#21Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,063
Avg Salary
$167,169
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.48%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
0
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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