Performance
Score Breakdown
Surrey
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Surrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Dallas.
| Metric | Surrey | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,462 | $1,412 | +4% |
| Groceries | $287 | $450 | -36% |
| Utilities | $122 | $281 | -57% |
| Transport | $80 | $126 | -37% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $135 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,101 | $2,404 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 43% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at
$45,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Surrey | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,490 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $96,970 |
| Household Income | $62,353 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Surrey | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Surrey.
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 | Surrey | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 47.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 163.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Surrey.
From a growth perspective, Surrey 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 | Surrey | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 721,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.
Surrey
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
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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