City Comparison
Lakeville vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lakeville
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lakeville's average rent is
70% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Lakeville | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,405 | $1,412 | +70% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $281 | -34% |
| Transport | $125 | $126 | -1% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $135 | +78% |
| Monthly Total | $3,375 | $2,404 | +40% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakeville offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakeville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lakeville is estimated at
$62,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Lakeville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $139,041 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakeville runs warmer on average — a 46.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakeville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakeville sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lakeville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Lakeville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Lakeville.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lakeville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lakeville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,270 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lakeville
Advantages
Median household income in Lakeville reaches approximately $139,041 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The city boasts an exceptional safety profile with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) provide top-tier educational opportunities and high student achievement.
Abundant natural amenities include multiple lakes and over 60 parks with extensive recreational trails.
Strong local job growth and low unemployment rates support a stable and thriving local economy.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and home purchase prices exceed the national average, creating affordability hurdles.
High car dependency means limited public transit options for daily non-driving commuters.
Rental housing markets are competitive, with rising average rents across multi-family properties.
Winters feature prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall management requirements.
Traffic congestion can peak during traditional rush hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35.
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.
Lakeville
#66Minnesota, USA
69.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,405
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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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