City Comparison
Centurion vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centurion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Centurion
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centurion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
50% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centurion's average rent is
61% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Centurion | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,412 | -61% |
| Groceries | $280 | $450 | -38% |
| Utilities | $130 | $281 | -54% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $135 | -11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $2,404 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 73% 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 Centurion is estimated at
$13,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Centurion | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $16,500 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $13,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,286 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Centurion runs warmer on average — a 63.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Centurion comes out ahead with 235 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Centurion sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Centurion | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Centurion.
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 | Centurion | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Centurion.
From a growth perspective, Centurion 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 | Centurion | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 365,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 26.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centurion
Advantages
Strategically positioned between Pretoria and Johannesburg with excellent highway and Gautrain rapid rail access.
Home to world-class private medical facilities including Netcare Unitas and Mediclinic Centurion.
Abundant secure lifestyle estates offering high-level security and family-friendly amenities.
Thriving tech and corporate employment hub with extensive fiber-optic internet infrastructure.
Favorable climate with over 230 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency leading to significant peak-hour traffic congestion on major arterial routes.
Crime rates in traditional open suburbs require reliance on private security and armed response services.
National economic pressures and high structural unemployment impact broader regional economic mobility.
Load shedding and municipal electricity grid instability necessitate private backup power solutions like generators or solar.
Public mass transit options are limited outside of the Gautrain rapid rail network.
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.
Centurion
#4Gauteng, South Africa
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$16,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
46.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
26.80%
Livability
73
Business
68
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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