City Comparison
Mardan vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mardan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mardan
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mardan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
84% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mardan's average rent is
91% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Mardan | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $130 | $1,412 | -91% |
| Groceries | $140 | $450 | -69% |
| Utilities | $45 | $281 | -84% |
| Transport | $30 | $126 | -76% |
| Healthcare | $35 | $135 | -74% |
| Monthly Total | $380 | $2,404 | -84% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 96% 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 Mardan is estimated at
$2,100 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Mardan | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,400 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $2,100 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 8,571 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $3,600 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mardan runs warmer on average — a 70.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mardan comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mardan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mardan | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 70.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mardan 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, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mardan | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Mardan.
From a growth perspective, Mardan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mardan | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 435,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 23.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mardan
Advantages
Cost of living is exceptionally low, offering high purchasing power for basic necessities
Rich historical and cultural heritage featuring UNESCO sites like Takht-i-Bahi
Expanding higher education sector anchored by Abdul Wali Khan University
Strong community support networks and traditional Pashtun hospitality
Pleasant proximity to scenic valley foothills and agricultural landscapes
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures can be quite intense during peak months
Limited high-paying formal corporate job market compared to major national hubs
Public transport infrastructure lacks modern integrated mass transit systems
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger neighboring cities
Traffic congestion and air quality challenges during peak hours in central bazaars
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.
Mardan
#5Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
76.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$130
Avg Salary
$2,400
Cost Index
28
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
70.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
67
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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