Performance
Score Breakdown
Davenport
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davenport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% lower compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Davenport's average rent is
36% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Davenport | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $902 | $1,412 | -36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $260 | $281 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $135 | +48% |
| Monthly Total | $1,882 | $2,404 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 36% 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 Davenport is estimated at
$67,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Davenport | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,673 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 42,498 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $66,200 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Davenport | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Davenport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
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 | Davenport | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 44.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Davenport.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Davenport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Davenport | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,913 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Davenport
Advantages
The cost of living in Davenport is 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Davenport boasts a shorter average commute time of 19.4 minutes compared to the national average, saving residents time.
The city offers award-winning healthcare systems and has 11 hospitals, ensuring good access to medical care.
Davenport provides extensive recreational opportunities with over 50 parks and 20 miles of trails for various outdoor activities.
The housing market is affordable, with a median home sale price of $190,000 in June 2026, which is 46% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Davenport's crime rates are 168% higher than the Iowa average, indicating significant safety concerns.
Population growth in Davenport has been relatively flat since 1980, hovering around 100,000 residents.
The city has limited public transit options and a low walkability score of 44, leading to a medium to high car dependency for most errands.
Despite some growing sectors, overall job growth in the Quad Cities metro area has been mixed, with recent job losses in some months of 2026.
Davenport experiences cold and snowy winters, with average low temperatures around 15°F in January.
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.
Davenport
#65Iowa, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$902
Avg Salary
$38,673
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
44.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Davenport and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator