Performance
Score Breakdown
Dalian
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dalian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
67% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dalian's average rent is
71% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Dalian | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $403 | $1,412 | -71% |
| Groceries | $239 | $450 | -47% |
| Utilities | $65 | $281 | -77% |
| Transport | $98 | $126 | -22% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $135 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $805 | $2,404 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 78% 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 Dalian is estimated at
$12,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Dalian | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,224 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,896 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $7,548 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dalian | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Dalian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dalian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dalian | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 70.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 66.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dalian is the larger city
— approximately 5.6x the population of Dallas.
From a growth perspective, Dalian 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 | Dalian | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,500,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.87% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dalian
Advantages
Robust industrial base in petrochemicals, automotive, shipbuilding, and high-tech sectors, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.
Recognized as a national innovation city and a benchmark for international business environment, attracting foreign investment and fostering a dynamic business climate.
High quality of life with an appealing urban environment, well-developed infrastructure, and consistently good air quality for over 315 days annually.
A vibrant coastal city offering pleasant summers, scenic beaches, diverse cultural experiences, and a range of outdoor activities.
Serves as a crucial international comprehensive transportation hub with a deep-water port and extensive global shipping connections.
Drawbacks
While public transport is strong, traffic congestion can still be a challenge in certain areas, impacting commute times.
Winters are notably cold and windy, requiring substantial warm clothing for outdoor activities.
Air quality, while generally good, can experience periods of moderate to poor pollution.
Limited specific data for certain economic and social metrics (e.g., median household income, job growth rate) from recent years makes detailed analysis challenging.
The reliability of some crowd-sourced data, such as traffic and transportation habits, may be affected by a low number of contributors.
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.
Dalian
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$403
Avg Salary
$13,224
Cost Index
25
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
70.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.87%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
75
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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