Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX scores 72/100 (Good) on Your Area Score. It is a major U.S. city with a more affordable than many comparable markets cost profile, a more challenging safety profile, and a manageable climate. Whether it is a good place to live will depend heavily on your budget, neighborhood choice, and priorities.
Based on affordability, safety, climate, infrastructure, schools, grocery access, and risk.
Pros
- Grocery Access
- Infrastructure
Cons
- Safety
- Risk
At a Glance
Why Dallas, TX scored 72/100
Top strengths
- Grocery Access is one of the strongest categories for this city.
- Infrastructure also helps lift the overall score.
- Dallas, TX may appeal most to budget-conscious movers, people who want convenience.
Main trade-offs
- Safety is one of the weaker categories here.
- Risk may be a deciding factor depending on your priorities.
- Neighborhood choice still matters because citywide averages never tell the full story.
Category Scores
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $1,305, median home value is about $270,700, and the larger metro scale usually supports a deeper job base and more amenities. See cheaper cities in TX.
This city has a more challenging safety profile. Violent crime is above average at 658.2 per 100k residents, and property crime is above average at 3,351.9 per 100k. Careful neighborhood research is strongly recommended before relocating. Source: FBI UCR 2024. Compare safer cities in TX.
The climate in Dallas, TX is generally hot with mild winters. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Larger cities usually score better here because they support more services, access, and everyday convenience.
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Grocery access is a major strength, with a broad mix of chains, specialty stores, and convenient everyday options across much of the city.
Living in Dallas, TX
This section turns the score into day-to-day reality: housing, comfort, family fit, convenience, and the main trade-offs you would notice after moving.
Cost, housing, and daily setup
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $1,305, median home value is about $270,700, and the larger metro scale usually supports a deeper job base and more amenities.
- Median rent: $1,305
- Median home value: $270,700
- Best fit: budget-conscious movers, people who want convenience
Bottom line
Dallas, TX is currently rated Good with a MoveScore of 72/100. Its strongest areas are Grocery Access and Infrastructure, while the biggest trade-offs are Safety and Risk.
Climate and comfort
The climate in Dallas, TX is generally hot with mild winters. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Risk and drawbacks
The main environmental risks here include heat, hail, storms, and localized flood risk. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.
Schools and family fit
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Errands and convenience
Grocery access is a major strength, with a broad mix of chains, specialty stores, and convenient everyday options across much of the city.
Entertainment & Things To Do
Dallas offers a strong mix of sports, concerts, nightlife, museums, and major retail districts.
Best Fit For
- Budget-conscious movers who still want solid city access.
- People who want strong convenience, errands, and day-to-day access.
- People who value dining, shopping, events, and a more active city feel.
- People who can handle warmer weather in exchange for broader city amenities.
Less Ideal For
- People who are highly sensitive to neighborhood-level safety variation.
- People seeking a quieter, lower-density feel with less traffic and big-city activity.
- People who want fewer weather, insurance, or location-specific risk trade-offs.
Neighborhood Reality
Dallas, TX is not uniform. Some areas perform significantly better than others across safety, schools, and overall livability. Where you choose to live within the city will have a major impact on your experience.
American Airlines Center
Adds access to large events, sports, and concerts, but can also bring event-day traffic.
Klyde Warren Park
Adds outdoor or leisure value that can improve day-to-day livability.
Dallas Arts District
Supports dining, shopping, and everyday convenience in one area.
NorthPark Center
Supports dining, shopping, and everyday convenience in one area.
Crime & Safety Reality
This is a practical interpretation of the city-level safety score. It should be treated as a broad relocation signal, not a substitute for neighborhood-level research.
What the current score suggests
Dallas, TX has a more challenging city-level safety profile, so block-by-block research matters more than usual before renting or buying. The main environmental risks here include heat, hail, storms, and localized flood risk. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.
What movers should do next
- Compare neighborhoods, not just city averages.
- Check commute routes after dark, not only daytime convenience.
- Look for trade-offs between affordability, access, and perceived safety.
Traffic & Commute Reality
Traffic quality is not just about how many roads exist. It is about whether the city gives you enough route options to handle daily commuting, errands, and regional travel.
How travel may feel here
Dallas, TX has strong regional access and is built around moving people efficiently across a larger metro area. A few strong road connections help with local and regional travel, but commute quality will still depend heavily on where you live and where you work.
Why this matters
Cities with stronger access routes usually feel easier for airport runs, cross-town errands, and commuting to job centers. That does not eliminate congestion, but it does improve flexibility when one corridor slows down.
Primary Access & Connectivity
These are some of the main road connections near Dallas, TX. They help show how easy it is to move around locally, reach job centers, and make longer regional trips.
Interstate 35E
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
US 75
Useful for local connectivity, everyday errands, and shorter regional trips.
Nearby Stadiums & Event Venues
Nearby venues can make a city more appealing for sports fans, concerts, and large events, but they can also increase traffic and activity on event days.
Cotton Bowl
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
American Airlines Center
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
Globe Life Field
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
Choctaw Stadium
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
AT&T Stadium
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.