NYC Vs. Dallas: Which City is Better in 2023?


nyc vs dallas

Don’t pack up your moving boxes just yet! You know that you want to make a major move to a big city, but which one should you choose? Both NYC and Dallas present great options that offer a fast-paced lifestyle with lots of cultural opportunities. However, you need to know how much you can expect to spend in each city, the population, and even how the crime rate compares.

NYC has a larger population, cooler weather, and is generally more expensive. Dallas is a smaller city with more room for job growth, a lower cost of living, and warmer weather all year-round. Both are seeing decreases in violent crimes such as homicides, but NYC has more property crimes. 

How do you decide which city is the better fit for your lifestyle, wallet, and peace of mind? Here are a few of the major categories you will want to consider when it comes time to move to a new area.

NYC vs. Dallas Population

Perhaps one of the most significant differences between these two major cities is the population size that you can encounter. In New York City, you will find an unlimited supply of people hurrying from one place to the next. With a population of almost 8.4 million, there is always someone new to meet. Not to mention, it is a relatively small city in square mileage, making the population feel even denser.

On the other hand, Dallas is also a reasonably large city with a population of 1.3 millionIt may not be as densely populated as NYC, and the median age is about 3 years older than the average resident in NYC, but it is still a major city where you will find lots of things to do and explore. 

NYC vs. Dallas Cost of Living

How far can you make your budget stretch? Knowing what you can afford in each area is crucial to understanding which city is the right fit for you. You will find that NYC has a higher overall cost of living compared to Dallas, but how much more can you expect to pay in some of these crucial areas? 

Cost of Housing in NYC vs. Dallas

The chances are that housing is the most expensive line item on your budget, so it makes sense to start with a cost-of-living comparison here. You will find that Dallas is remarkably less costly compared to NYC. This same fact holds true whether you prefer to rent a modest apartment or purchase your own home.

For a two-bedroom apartment, the median cost in Dallas is around $1,600 per month. This can be compared to a comparable apartment in NYC for $5,100 per month.

If you want to purchase a home, you might want to be prepared for some of these staggering figures. For a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, you would pay around $400,000 in Dallas but a whopping $2.2 million in NYC

Cost of Food in NYC vs. Dallas

Housing isn’t the only area where you can expect to pay more in the Big Apple. Food and grocery costs will also leave your wallet a bit lacking, especially if you prefer to go out to eat or pick up takeout. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant is $100 in NYC compared to $80 in Dallas.

Even groceries will be significantly more expensive in NYC. Take a look at some of these comparisons to give you an idea:

  • Gallon of milk: $4.37 vs. $3.05
  • Loaf of bread: $3.49 vs. $2.56
  • Eggs: $3.58 vs. $2.40
  • Cheese: $7.67 vs. $4.58

Be prepared to fork over some serious cash in the grocery store if you decide to move to NYC.

Cost of Transportation in NYC vs. Dallas

There is a significant difference in the cost of transportation in NYC and Dallas, and most of it stems from the overall mode of transportation. In a city as congested as NYC, it makes more sense for residents to take advantage of mass transit systems like the subway. This allows you to make good use of your commute time to read, get ahead on work, or catch up on emails.

The cost for an unlimited 30-day pass on the subway and local buses will set you back just $127 in NYC. 

While you can use public transportation via the DART in Dallas, it is more common for people to drive their vehicles. A 31-day DART pass will cost you $96 locally and $192 regionally. If you decide to purchase a car to get you around town, you will have the added expense of gas and a car payment, though.

Lifestyle and Culture in NYC vs. Dallas

One of the benefits of moving to a major city is the increase in cultural events and places that you can visit. Take in the lifestyle that each of these cities offers to decide which one will ultimately be the right choice for you.

NYC is well-known for its busy nightlife, but there are many things you can do during the day as well. You can visit the MoMA, American Museum of Natural History, or a Broadway show. You can also dine out in any number of restaurants promising authentic cuisine from all over the world.

Dallas has a similarly long list of cultural events that you can take in, but they happen at a slower pace. Their Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) promotes all of the following types of events:

  1. Local art events
  2. Festivals
  3. Musical performances
  4. Theater productions

Whether you want to attend some of these events virtually or in-person, you will have plenty of activities to choose from. Unlike NYC, which has little room for open-air gardens, Dallas offers their Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, where you can get some fresh air even inside the big city. 

Job Industry in NYC vs. Dallas

Are you looking to move somewhere new where your career can really take off? Maybe you just graduated college and are looking for the next big opportunity to come your way. If this is the case, Dallas might be the right choice for you. It has a lower unemployment rate than NYC (7.4 percent compared to 11.2 percent).

It also has the potential for much more future job growth. Dallas is expected to have job growth of 45 percent, whereas NYC has just 30 percent room for growth. Job competition is also lower in Dallas than it is in NYC.

Climate in NYC vs. Dallas

If you want to move somewhere where you can wear shorts all year round, then Dallas might be the right choice. You will find a markedly different climate in Dallas compared to NYC, and this is often a deciding factor for many people who are considering making a move.

In NYC, you truly experience all four seasons throughout the year. Summers tend to be pretty mild, with high temperatures in the mid-80s. They receive about 46 inches of rain each year and 25 inches of snow. As the winter comes around, you can expect temperatures to dip below freezing.

On the other hand, Dallas is like a tropical paradiseIt has higher summer temperatures, around 95 degrees, but it rarely ever slips below freezing, even in the middle of winter. They get less rain at 39 inches each year and only an average of 1 inch of snow annually if they receive anything at all.

Crime Rate in NYC vs. Dallas

While both NYC and Dallas are major cities with lots of crime, you might be surprised to learn that Dallas is on a downward trend. By the end of 2021, the murder rate had dropped 13 percent, and the police force found that it was making fewer arrests (down by 11 percent).

NYC has seen crime rates increase over the past few years, but they are also on a downward trend for violent crimes, including homicides. In March 2022, their homicide rate was down an impressive 15.8 percent. This is good news for anyone considering moving to the Big Apple.

However, the overall crime rate has increased with more property crimes such as grand larceny auto, robberies, and citywide burglaries. You will need to take measures to protect yourself by following simple actions like locking doors and keeping valuables hidden away. 

Where Should You Live?

If you are considering making a major move to one of these well-known cities, you will want to first consider what you can afford. The cost of living in NYC is much higher, and the job market is a bit more competitive with fewer growth opportunities. Dallas also presents a warmer climate year-round and fewer violent crimes. However, nothing compares to the hustle and bustle of living in NYC.

Be sure to consider some of these primary attributes of both cities to see which one is the right choice for you!

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