City Comparison
St. Louis Park vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Louis Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis Park
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in St. Louis Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis Park's average rent is
17% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,412 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,575 | $2,404 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis Park offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Louis Park is estimated at
$58,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,519 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Louis Park runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Louis Park comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Louis Park sees 31 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
St. Louis Park has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
St. Louis Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, St. Louis Park is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,138 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis Park
Advantages
Exceptional proximity to downtown Minneapolis, offering a rapid commute via major transit and highway corridors.
Home to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, providing world-class healthcare access directly within city limits.
Over 50 meticulously maintained parks and extensive regional bike trail connections like the Cedar Lake Trail.
Thriving commercial and entertainment hubs like the Shops at West End with diverse dining and retail options.
Consistently high-performing public school district that continually draws families to the area.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes are noticeably higher than the national U.S. average.
Cold, harsh winter weather featuring significant snowfall accumulation typical of the Upper Midwest.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter arteries like Highway 100 and I-394 during peak hours.
Competitive real estate market with limited suburban housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Property crime rates, particularly catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins, align with urban-suburban metro patterns.
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.
St. Louis Park
#225Minnesota, USA
63.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
72
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 St. Louis Park and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator