City Comparison
Mankato vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mankato's average rent is
19% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Mankato | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,412 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $281 | -40% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,404 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mankato offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mankato delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mankato is estimated at
$48,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Mankato | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mankato runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mankato comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mankato sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mankato has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 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 | Mankato | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Mankato is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mankato has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mankato | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mankato
Advantages
Median home prices in Mankato remain well below the national average per 2024 Zillow data.
Mayo Clinic Health System provides top-tier regional healthcare and major employment opportunities.
Minnesota State University, Mankato infuses the city with cultural events, sports, and a youthful energy.
Extensive outdoor recreation network featuring Riverfront Park and miles of paved biking trails.
Consistently lower unemployment rate compared to the national average per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and harsh, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and the immediate university area.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten significantly during the academic fall semester startup.
Limited direct access to commercial air travel, requiring a trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Higher than average state income taxes typical of Minnesota apply to local earners.
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.
Mankato
#110Minnesota, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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