City Comparison
Edinburgh vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edinburgh scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edinburgh
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Edinburgh.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edinburgh's average rent is
10% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,412 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $90 | $126 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,440 | $2,404 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 15% 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 Edinburgh is estimated at
$45,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $49,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edinburgh runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edinburgh comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edinburgh sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edinburgh leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Edinburgh.
From a growth perspective, Edinburgh is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edinburgh has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 526,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edinburgh
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top UK cities for overall quality of life and economic resilience per recent regional indexes
Exceptional public transportation network featuring award-winning bus services and expanding tram connectivity
World-class cultural calendar anchored by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and historic architectural landmarks
Immediate access to stunning natural landscapes including Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat, and coastal paths
Highly educated workforce with nearly half holding degree-level qualifications supported by top-tier universities
Drawbacks
High rental and property purchase costs driven by severe housing shortages and high tourist demand
Competitive property buying market often requiring offers well above the official home report valuation
Frequent grey skies and damp weather conditions throughout the autumn and winter months
Significant tourist congestion in the Old Town and central districts during the peak summer festival season
Narrow historic streets and strict conservation rules limit private car use and residential parking expansion
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.
Edinburgh
#8Scotland, UK
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
81
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Edinburgh and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator