City Comparison
La Barca vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
La Barca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
La Barca
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
La Barca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: La Barca's average rent is
75% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | La Barca | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,412 | -75% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $65 | $281 | -77% |
| Transport | $50 | $126 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $135 | -41% |
| Monthly Total | $745 | $2,404 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 88% 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 La Barca is estimated at
$6,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | La Barca | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,947 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $9,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Barca runs warmer on average — a 68.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Barca comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — La Barca sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | La Barca | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 50.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
La Barca has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Barca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Barca | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, La Barca is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, La Barca has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | La Barca | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Barca
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to major Mexican and US cities.
Rich cultural heritage, historic architecture, and vibrant community traditions.
Abundant sunshine and a pleasant year-round climate averaging over 250 sunny days.
Strategic location in Jalisco with accessible transport links to larger regional urban centers.
Authentic small-town lifestyle with strong local markets and community safety.
Drawbacks
Limited local high-tech and corporate job opportunities requiring commuting for specialized careers.
Advanced healthcare services require travel to larger nearby cities like Guadalajara.
Public transportation infrastructure is limited compared to major metropolitan areas.
Economic reliance on agriculture and localized trade can fluctuate with regional conditions.
Limited English proficiency among the general population may pose challenges for non-Spanish speakers.
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.
La Barca
#68Jalisco, Mexico
76.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
38
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
60
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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