City Comparison
Mexicali vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mexicali scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mexicali
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mexicali is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mexicali's average rent is
27% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Mexicali | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,036 | $1,412 | -27% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,036 | $2,404 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 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 Mexicali is estimated at
$1,500 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Mexicali | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,170 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $1,500 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,284 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mexicali runs warmer on average — a 78.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mexicali comes out ahead with 348 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mexicali sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mexicali | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 109.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 4.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 348 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Mexicali | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Mexicali.
From a growth perspective, Mexicali is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mexicali has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mexicali | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,083,531 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.38% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mexicali
Advantages
Strong and diverse economy with significant aerospace, electronics, and agricultural sectors.
Affordable cost of living compared to U.S. border cities and some major Mexican cities.
Growing middle and upper class contributing to a high standard of living and vibrant culture.
Strategic location near the U.S. border facilitating trade and business opportunities.
Improving healthcare infrastructure with modern facilities and skilled professionals.
Drawbacks
Air quality is a recurring health concern, with 'Red' and 'Hazardous' AQI alerts reported.
The Mexicali Valley has travel restrictions for U.S. employees due to its location on smuggling routes.
Car dependency is high, with most residents relying on private vehicles for transportation.
While improving, healthcare quality can vary, and official ratings are not as standardized as in the U.S.
Water availability from the Colorado River is a critical factor for the agricultural sector's future.
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.
Mexicali
#168Baja California, Mexico
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,036
Avg Salary
$2,170
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
348/yr
Avg Temp
78.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.38%
Livability
74
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
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