Living in Dallas, TX

Dallas is the 9th-largest city in the US, home to about 1.33 million people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.1 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

1,329,491+1.9% since 2020

Median home value

$320,7004.5 years of median income

Median rent

$1,472/morent plus utilities

Household income

$70,518median, per year

Price level

103.1US average = 100

January / July highs

58° / 97°lows 38° / 78°

Average commute

26 min16% work from home

State income tax

Noneon wages

Cost of living in Dallas

The median home in Dallas is worth $320,700 and the median household earns $70,518 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,472 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area at 103.1, with housing at 117.9 and goods at 102.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,300 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.

All items103.1

Housing117.9

Goods102.8

Utilities90.7

Other services99.7

What would my salary be worth in Dallas?

Dallas weather

Average highs run from 58°F in January to 97°F in July, and January nights average 38°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 2 inches of snow. Expect about 108 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to April and November.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Dallas

People and work

The median resident is 33.4 years old, and 38% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 42% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 26 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.

Median age

33.499th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

38%adults 25+

Homeowners

42%of households

People per sq mile

3,914339.7 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

2%2% walk, 0.2% bike

Unemployment

4.9%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

16.7%of residents

Typical home built

1981median year

Who moves to Dallas, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Austin (Travis County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Austin (Travis County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Largest employers

The biggest employers in Dallas, as listed in the city's own annual financial report (fiscal 2025, 2025 figures).

1. UT Southwestern Medical Center22,721
2. Dallas Independent School District22,162
3. Southwest Airlines17,324
4. Parkland Health & Hospital System14,000
5. City of Dallas13,000
6. AT&T10,868
7. Texas Instruments7,704
8. Baylor Scott & White Health7,284
9. Methodist Dallas Medical Center6,752
10. Dallas County6,500

Source: City of Dallas Annual Comprehensive Financial Report FY2025, Table 18, Principal Employers. Employee counts are as reported to the city and may include workers outside city limits. Where do locals like to eat and shop? See local favorites.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Dallas

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Globe Life Field 18 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Dallas Museum of Art Museum 2 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kimbell Art Museum Museum 34 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Dallas College in Dallas
  BeenWant to go
• Tarrant County College District 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• The University of Texas at Arlington 20 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Collin County Community College District 28 miles
  BeenWant to go
• The University of Texas at Dallas 15 miles
  BeenWant to go
• George W. Bush Presidential Center Museum 5 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Texas Christian University 34 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Southern Methodist University 5 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Six Flags Over Texas Theme park 17 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Dallas

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Dallas

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Dallas

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 2, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 16 and the first frost comes around November 29.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Dallas Love Field, TX, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Dallas.

Wildfire smoke in Dallas

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Dallas on about 154 days a year, including about 20 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Dallas

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 533,915 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Dallas

Downtown Dallas is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Garland Independent School District (51,021 students), Mesquite Independent School District (37,930 students), Richardson Independent School District (36,971 students), Irving Independent School District (30,767 students), Grand Prairie Independent School District (26,129 students), Duncanville Independent School District (11,562 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Dallas's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Dallas's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• North Charleston, SC76% matchCompare
• South Fulton, GA67% matchCompare
• Sunrise Manor, NV65% matchCompare
• Jacksonville, FL65% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Dallas

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Horseshoe Bay International Dark Sky Community 180 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Dripping Springs International Dark Sky Community 194 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Copper Breaks State Park International Dark Sky Park 195 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

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Pros and cons of living in Dallas

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.

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Cons

• Data Summers are long and hot: about 108 days a year reach 90°F.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Dallas County (FEMA rates it very high), led by tornado, inland flooding and heat wave.
• Data Air quality is a concern: 45 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Cities near Dallas

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Looking at the suburbs? Lantana, Trophy Club and Celina lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Dallas.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Dallas with another city

Dallas vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Dallas a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show no state income tax on wages; the trade-offs are 108 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Dallas side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Dallas?

The Census Bureau estimates Dallas had 1,329,491 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 1,304,341 in April 2020 (+1.9%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Dallas?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,300 in the Dallas area. The median household here earns $70,518.

When is the best time to visit Dallas?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to April and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 97°F and January 58°F for daytime highs.

What county is Dallas in?

Most of Dallas (96% of its land) is in Dallas County. Smaller parts lie in Collin County and Denton County and Kaufman County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Dallas in?

Dallas is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Dallas?

About 420 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does Texas have a state income tax?

No. Texas does not tax wage income.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Dallas. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Dallas Love Field, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.