City Comparison
Toms River vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Toms River
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toms River's average rent is
98% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Toms River | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $1,412 | +98% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $190 | $281 | -32% |
| Transport | $130 | $126 | +3% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $135 | +93% |
| Monthly Total | $3,840 | $2,404 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toms River offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toms River delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toms River is estimated at
$65,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Toms River | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,609 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $99,547 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Toms River runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Toms River comes out ahead with 243 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Toms River sees 13.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Toms River | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Toms River.
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 | Toms River | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Toms River.
From a growth perspective, Toms River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Toms River | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,621 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toms River
Advantages
Median household income is strong at approximately $99,547, outperforming national averages per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to the Jersey Shore provides unmatched access to beaches, boating, and coastal recreation.
High homeownership rate of over 81% reflects a stable, family-oriented community fabric.
Crime rates remain lower than the national average, ensuring safe neighborhoods across the township.
Extensive local parks, recreational programs, and community events enhance everyday lifestyle quality.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes are significantly higher than the national median.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles leads to seasonal traffic congestion along primary travel routes.
Average monthly rent prices exceed $2,800, creating affordability hurdles for prospective renters.
Summer tourism influx causes temporary crowding on local roadways and beaches.
Vulnerability to severe coastal weather events requires ongoing infrastructure and insurance considerations.
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.
Toms River
#357New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.72%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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