City comparison
No. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 188 in Dallas, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 179, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Dallas is cheaper. Median rent is $1,472 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Dallas and Austin is significant: $70,518 median household versus $93,658. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,472 in Dallas and $1,729 in Austin.
This is a genuine split. Dallas wins on cost of living and Austin wins on the job market and safety. 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 Austin are 182 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $257 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $93,658 in Austin, up $23,140 (33%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 162 in Austin, down 26 points (14%).
The move
Austin and Dallas are 182 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,472 a month in Dallas, down $257 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $70,518 in Dallas, down $23,140 (25%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 188 in Dallas, up 26 points (16%).
Dallas, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Dallas and Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
15% cheaper
Dallas rent is 15% cheaper than Austin
Dallas
Winner$1,472/mo
Austin
$1,729/mo
Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Dallas versus $1,729 in Austin, so Dallas is 15% 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 $3,084, 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 Austin.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
33% higher
Austin's median income is 33% higher than Dallas
Dallas
$70,518
Austin
Winner$93,658
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $70,518 in Dallas, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Austin (about $23,140 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, Austin 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
14% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 14% lower than Dallas
Dallas
188 (100 = avg)
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 188 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Austin. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Austin, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Dallas. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Dallas and Austin are about even on typical weather.
Dallas
73°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin
76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Dallas averages about 73°F (82°F highs); Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs). Dallas sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Austin sits near 76°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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Dallas
Dallas is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 15% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 33% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Dallas (162 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.
Bottom line
Pay is the headline: Austin median income is $93,658 versus $70,518 in Dallas (25% higher). Rent still runs $1,729/month in Austin and $1,472/month in Dallas, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Austin rates.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $70,518), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Safety scores read 41/100 in Dallas and 45/100 in Austin.
Pick Austin when your field pays toward $93,658 median income. Otherwise, Dallas's case rests on a $1,472 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
Common questions
Ready to move to Austin?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Dallas and Austin, plus other cities in TX.
