10 Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas, TX

Intrigued by Dallas’s thriving economy, diverse culture, and vibrant arts and sports scenes? You’re not alone. With a booming job market, a central location, and a growing number of top-tier restaurants and family-friendly neighborhoods, Dallas continues to attract newcomers seeking both professional opportunity and a high quality of life.

That said, the city does come with its share of challenges such as rising housing prices, unpredictable weather, and heavy traffic. Below, we break down the main pros and cons of living in Dallas, including insights into cost of living, job opportunities, schools, safety, and local neighborhoods.

Methodology: We used internal data and cross-referenced with neighborhood data from Apartments.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across our Dallas neighborhood picks as of September 2025. Crime grades are from CrimeGrade.org and Weichert.*

Key Insights

• Housing costs: One-bedroom apartments in Dallas average around $1,540, with prices steadily climbing due to increased demand and ongoing population growth.
• Jobs: Living in Dallas means access to a diverse and robust job market, with major industries including finance, tech, healthcare, defense, and transportation.
• Lifestyle: With a mix of modern urban living and Southern charm, living in Dallas offers everything from professional sports and high-end shopping to a vibrant food scene and an active arts and cultural community.
• Challenges: Traffic congestion, hot summers, and rising housing costs are common factors to consider when living in Dallas.

Quick Facts About Dallas, TX

1. Pro: Central Location

Living in Dallas makes travel more convenient. The city is a major national transportation center with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), one of the busiest airports in the world, along with Love Field Airport for domestic flights. This makes travel convenient for business and leisure. The city also provides quick access to other major U.S. markets, making it ideal for companies with regional or national operations.

2. Con: Urban Sprawl and Car Dependency

One challenge for those living in Dallas is the city covers a huge area, leading to significant urban sprawl. Most neighborhoods and job centers are spread out, making a car essential. This contributes to long commute times and a dependence on driving.

3. Pro: Strong Corporate Presence and Diverse Economy

Beyond just tech and finance, Dallas is a major hub for energy companies, defense contractors, and logistics firms. Headquarters like ExxonMobil, Jacobs Engineering, and Kimberly-Clark add to a diversified economy less vulnerable to sector downturns. This economic diversity helps sustain job growth and stability for those living in Dallas, even during broader market shifts.

4. Con: Public Transit Still Developing

While the DART light rail system is expanding, Dallas’s public transit infrastructure still lags behind other large cities, limiting options for those who prefer not to drive. Many neighborhoods, especially in the outer areas, have limited or no access to reliable transit service. This makes car ownership crucial for many people living in Dallas.

5. Pro: Family-Friendly Suburbs with Top Schools

Dallas suburbs like Plano, Frisco, and Richardson offer some of the best public schools in the state, plus family-oriented amenities, parks, and community events. These areas are popular with families seeking safety and quality education. Their strong school districts, well-maintained infrastructure, and growing job centers make them attractive alternatives to living right in the city.

6. Con: Economic Inequality and Segregation

Dallas faces significant challenges with economic disparity. Certain neighborhoods experience concentrated poverty, limited access to quality schools, and fewer services, creating plenty of opportunity across the metro area. City leaders and community organizations are working to address these gaps for people living in Dallas through education initiatives, workforce development, and revitalization efforts.

7. Pro: Thriving Sports Culture

Dallas is a sports town with passionate fans supporting the Cowboys (NFL), Mavericks (NBA), Stars (NHL), and FC Dallas (MLS). The city offers plenty of sports-related entertainment, from stadium events to youth leagues. Major venues like AT&T Stadium and the American Airlines Center also host concerts and national events, adding to the city's energetic atmosphere.

8. Con: Summer Heat with Occasional Severe Weather

A downside to living in Dallas is the summers are extremely hot and humid. The area is also prone to severe weather like hailstorms, tornado watches, and flash flooding, requiring residents to be weather-aware and prepared. Spring and early summer bring the highest risk of storms, sometimes disrupting daily routines and outdoor plans. Many homes are equipped with storm shelters or reinforced areas as a precaution.

9. Pro: Growing Arts and Food Scene

The Dallas Arts District is the largest urban arts district in the U.S., featuring theaters, museums, and galleries. People living in Dallas also get to enjoy a diverse food scene, reflecting its multicultural population. Live music, street festivals, and cultural events add to the city's vibrant, year-round entertainment offerings.

10. Con: Limited Affordable Housing Near the City Center

While living in Dallas is affordable overall, areas close to Downtown and Uptown have seen rising prices, reducing options for lower-income renters or first-time buyers wanting urban living. Demand for walkable neighborhoods and newer developments has pushed prices up, making it harder to find budget-friendly units near the city center.

Is Dallas a Good Place to Live?

Yes, living in Dallas is ideal for renters seeking strong job prospects, diverse culture, and vibrant city living. One-bedroom apartments average about $1,540 and two-bedrooms are closer to $2,233.

Options range from modern high-rises in Uptown or Downtown to historic homes in Lakewood and more affordable rentals in Oak Cliff or Lake Highlands. While rising rents and traffic are challenges, Dallas’s expanding economy, no state income tax, and rich arts and sports scenes continue to attract new residents.

What’s It Like Living in Dallas?

Living in Dallas offers the combined energy of a fast-growing metro with the convenience and amenities of a major city.

Uptown and Downtown offer high-rise living close to restaurants, bars, and nightlife, while areas like Lakewood, Oak Cliff, and Lake Highlands provide more space, green areas, and a strong sense of community at an affordable price.

What’s the Culture Like in Dallas?

With warm weather most of the year and a vibrant food and music scene, staying active and entertained is easy. Weekends might include catching games at AT&T Stadium or the American Airlines Center, strolling the Dallas Arboretum, or visiting the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center.

What’s the Cost of Living in Dallas?

Dallas’s cost of living is about 0.2% higher than the U.S. average and 6.4% higher than the Texas average. Still, where you choose to live can make a big impact on your cost of living.

We also took a look at how the data for cost of living categories broke down for Dallas:

How Is the Job Market in Dallas?

If you’re thinking of living in Dallas for job opportunities, here’s some good news. Dallas has one of Texas’s strongest job markets, with key industries including finance, technology, healthcare, and transportation. Major employers like AT&T, Southwest Airlines, Texas Instruments, and JPMorgan Chase offer steady opportunities.

Unemployment rates typically run below the national average, reflecting strong demand for workers. For renters, this translates to solid career prospects, though competition for top jobs can be fierce.

How Safe Is Dallas?

Safety is an important factor when living in Dallas. Dallas can be relatively safe for renters in 2025, but it depends on which neighborhood you choose to live in. Violent crime dropped 13.5% in early 2025, including a 33.7% decline in homicides and a 12.2% decrease in aggravated assaults.

Property crime has also decreased: Crimes against property were down an average of 13.2 % in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Still, Dallas has an overall D+ crime grade, with combined rates near 4.04 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 28.9 property crimes per 1,000 residents.

Citywide statistics can mask local differences, so neighborhood‑level data is essential when renters are choosing where to live.

What Are Schools Like in Dallas?

Families living in Dallas have access to a diverse range of strong K–12 schools across its neighborhoods. Notable high schools include The Hockaday School, The Episcopal School of Dallas, and Dallas International School.

The city is also a center for higher education, with institutions like Southern Methodist University (SMU) and University of North Texas attracting students nationwide.

Is Dallas a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Yes, many families enjoy living in Dallas because it offers a mix of safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and plenty of outdoor spaces. Areas like Lakewood and Preston Hollow are known for their excellent schools, abundant parks, and strong community feel.

That said, rising housing costs are a concern for many families, especially in the most sought-after neighborhoods. Traffic congestion can also affect daily routines like school drop-offs and extracurricular activities.

What Are Some Popular Neighborhoods in Dallas?

Dallas offers a range of neighborhoods to match different lifestyles, from lively downtown districts to quieter, family-friendly areas.

Here’s a look at average rent prices in some of the city’s most popular spots:

Is Living in Dallas Right for You?

Living in Dallas can be a good decision if you’re looking for a mix of career potential, cultural variety, and city living at a more affordable rate than other areas. With a booming job market, no state income tax, and plenty to do, it's easy to see why so many people are making the move.

Of course, there are trade-offs. Rising rental prices, traffic headaches, and intense summer heat are common complaints. Still deciding if Dallas is the right fit for you? Explore more Renter Life guides to compare cities and neighborhoods. Ready to find your next place? Try our Apartment List quiz to get matched with rentals that meet your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Dallas

What are the downsides of living in Dallas?

Some key drawbacks of living in Dallas include rising housing costs and worsening traffic. Limited public transit and urban sprawl make car ownership almost essential, often leading to long commutes. Hot, humid summers can be challenging, and access to quality public schools varies by area. Rapid growth has also strained local infrastructure.

Why are people moving to Dallas?

Dallas continues to draw newcomers with its strong economy, central location, and diverse job market. It’s home to major employers in key industries including AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and JPMorgan Chase. The lack of state income tax is a major perk, especially for professionals and entrepreneurs. With its vibrant arts scene, top-notch dining, pro sports, and a lower cost of living than coastal cities, it’s easy to see the appeal.

What are the biggest risks of living in Dallas?

The biggest risks of living in Dallas include the rising cost of housing, especially for renters looking to live in trendy or central areas. The car-dependent infrastructure means that it’s difficult to get around without a vehicle. Severe weather is another concern, with Dallas experiencing hailstorms, tornadoes, and extreme heat in the summer. The city also faces challenges related to air quality, urban flooding, and income inequality in certain areas.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dallas?

According to the MIT living wage calculator, a single adult living in Dallas needs to earn about $47,965. For a family of four, the requirement is closer to $73,751.