City comparison
Yes. Dallas's crime index is 188 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 179 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Dallas is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The income gap between Dallas and Atlanta is significant: $70,518 median household versus $85,652. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,472 in Dallas and $1,711 in Atlanta.
This is a genuine split. Dallas wins on cost of living and safety and Atlanta wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Dallas and Atlanta are 720 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $239 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $15,134 (21%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 197 in Atlanta, up 9 points (5%).
The move
Atlanta and Dallas are 720 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,472 a month in Dallas, down $239 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $70,518 in Dallas, down $15,134 (18%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 188 in Dallas, down 9 points (5%).
Dallas, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Dallas and Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
14% cheaper
Dallas rent is 14% cheaper than Atlanta
Dallas
Winner$1,472/mo
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Dallas versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Dallas is 14% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,868, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Dallas still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Dallas? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Atlanta's median income is 21% higher than Dallas
Dallas
$70,518
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $70,518 in Dallas, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Atlanta (about $15,134 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Atlanta is the stronger labor market on paper. Dallas can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
5% lower crime
Dallas's crime index is 5% lower than Atlanta
Dallas
Winner188 (100 = avg)
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Dallas's crime index is 188 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Dallas. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Dallas, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Atlanta. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Dallas and Atlanta are about even on typical weather.
Dallas
73°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Atlanta
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Dallas averages about 73°F (82°F highs); Atlanta averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Dallas sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Atlanta sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Dallas is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 14% cheaper here at about $1,472 a month. Choose Dallas if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Dallas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 5% lower than Atlanta (188 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Atlanta is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($85,652). Start with Atlanta if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Atlanta posts $85,652 median household income against $70,518 in Dallas. That 18% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,472 in Dallas and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Atlanta still pays more locally ($85,652 median income vs $70,518), which can offset the lease if your field pays Atlanta rates.
Safety scores read 41/100 in Dallas and 39/100 in Atlanta.
Between Dallas and Atlanta, Atlanta is ahead on local pay — $85,652 median income against $70,518. Lean Dallas instead when keeping rent near $1,472/month beats chasing $85,652 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Dallas when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Dallas and Atlanta, plus other cities in TX and GA.
