01 · the cities
Dallas
Dallas is Stetsons next to skyscrapers, Tex-Mex with queso flowing freely, and a barbecue scene that quietly competes with Austin's. The arts district downtown is enormous and free to wander, while Bishop Arts and Deep Ellum bring the indie energy. Football is its own religion (high school, college, and Cowboys all year round). The bigness is real, and the city wears it well.
full dispatch→Houston
Houston has no zoning laws (you'll see a taco truck next to a mansion next to a strip mall), the most diverse food scene in America by most rankings, and NASA's mission control out on the edge of town. The Texas Medical Center is the largest in the world. It's sprawling and culturally enormous, with a Vietnamese pho district, Nigerian jollof spots, and a Tex-Mex scene that takes itself seriously. Bigger than you think, in every direction.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,647/mo
$1,610/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$367k
$311k
$56k less than Dallas
State income tax
State income tax
0%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,686/mo
$6,723/mo
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
171 days
171 days
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
40 days
54 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
2 days
1 days
days below 20°F per year
Houston has 14 more days above 95°F each year than Dallas.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
57 / 100
55 / 100
2.0 pts behind Dallas
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
190 routes
176 routes
14 fewer direct routes than Dallas
Metro size
Metro size
8.1M metro
7.5M metro
Dallas has 2.1x more events per month than Houston.
the verdict
3
Dallas
categories won
2
Houston
categories won
Dallas wins on weather and lifestyle. Houston has the edge on money.
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