City Comparison
Melfi vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Melfi scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Melfi
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Melfi is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
43% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Melfi's average rent is
54% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Melfi | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,412 | -54% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $160 | $281 | -43% |
| Transport | $85 | $126 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $135 | -11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,365 | $2,404 | -43% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 54% 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 Melfi is estimated at
$24,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Melfi | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $24,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,889 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $29,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Melfi runs warmer on average — a 59.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Melfi comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Melfi sees 10.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Melfi | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Melfi 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 | Melfi | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 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, Dallas 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 | Melfi | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,500 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 9.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Melfi
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to northern Italian cities.
Rich historical heritage highlighted by the iconic Norman-Swabian Castle and Mount Vulture landscapes.
Extremely low crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community environment.
Strong local economy anchored by major automotive manufacturing and supportive industrial supply chains.
Profound access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, volcanic lakes, and regional nature reserves.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options across the mountainous terrain.
Economy is heavily dependent on a single major industrial sector (automotive manufacturing).
Limited high-end cultural nightlife and entertainment venues compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Youth outmigration trends impact broader demographic growth and local service expansion.
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger regional hospitals outside the immediate municipality.
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.
Melfi
#72Basilicata, Italy
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$28,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
59.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
9.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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 Melfi and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator