Performance
Score Breakdown
Phoenix
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% higher compared to Phoenix.
| Metric | Phoenix | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,492 | $1,412 | +6% |
| Groceries | $426 | $450 | -5% |
| Utilities | $391 | $281 | +39% |
| Transport | $64 | $126 | -49% |
| Healthcare | $380 | $135 | +181% |
| Monthly Total | $2,753 | $2,404 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 19% 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 Phoenix is estimated at
$52,974 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Phoenix | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,356 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $52,974 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,006 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $81,332 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phoenix | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 14.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Phoenix | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Dallas.
From a growth perspective, Phoenix is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Phoenix | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,677,947 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.75% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, higher than the national average.
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.
Phoenix
#49Arizona, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
68
Business
75
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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