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City comparison

Dallas, TX vs Denver, CO

The income gap between Dallas and Denver is significant: $70,518 median household versus $94,718. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,472 in Dallas and $1,831 in Denver.

This is a genuine split. Dallas wins on cost of living and safety and Denver 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.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Dallas at $1,472 average has pockets that run $1,272 and others at $1,872: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Dallas reportFull Denver report

Dallas, TX

Rent
$1,472/mo
Median income
70,518
Crime index
184
Weather
77°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Denver, CO

Rent
$1,831/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,169/mo
Median income
94,718
Crime index
268
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

20% cheaper

Dallas rent is 20% cheaper than Denver

Dallas

Winner

$1,472/mo

Denver

$1,831/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,472 a month in Dallas versus $1,831 in Denver, so Dallas is 20% 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 $4,308, 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 Denver.

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Median income

34% higher

Denver's median income is 34% higher than Dallas

Dallas

$70,518

Denver

Winner

$94,718

What this means for your life

Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $70,518 in Dallas, so typical pay runs 34% higher in Denver (about $24,200 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, Denver 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

31% lower crime

Dallas's crime index is 31% lower than Denver

Dallas

Winner

184 (100 = avg)

Denver

268 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Dallas's crime index is 184 versus 268 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Dallas. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Dallas is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

Neck and neck

Dallas and Denver are about even on typical weather.

Dallas

77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100

Denver

68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Dallas averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs). Dallas sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver 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

Who should choose Dallas

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 20% 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 31% lower than Denver (184 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.

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Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 34% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

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Bottom line

Dallas vs Denver: Our Take

Pay is the headline: Denver median income is $94,718 versus $70,518 in Dallas (26% higher). Rent still runs $1,831/month in Denver and $1,472/month in Dallas, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Denver rates.

Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $70,518), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.

Typical rent stays $1,472 in Dallas and $1,831 in Denver.

Denver clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Dallas deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,472/month beats chasing $94,718 median income.

Common questions

Dallas vs Denver FAQ

Is Dallas cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Typical rent in Dallas is $1,472 a month versus $1,831 in Denver (20% cheaper). Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas compared with $94,718 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Dallas or Denver?
Dallas is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 184 versus 268 in Denver (31% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Dallas or Denver?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Dallas. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Denver. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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