Updated: March 02, 2023
In This City Guide:
- Dallas at-a-glance
- What it’s like to live in Dallas
- Economy and job outlook in Dallas
- Real estate, cost of living in Dallas
- The top neighborhoods in Dallas
- How to get around in Dallas
- School and education snapshot
- Weather and climate in Dallas
- 10 Can’t miss things to do in Dallas
Dallas At-A-Glance
Dallas is home to over 1.3 million people, making it the third largest city in Texas and the ninth largest city in the U.S. The city, unfortunately nicknamed the Big D, saw an influx over the last couple of years of people looking for an urban lifestyle without the higher cost of living experienced in similar U.S. metro areas. With no state income tax, sunny skies year-round, and a thriving job market, it’s no surprise that Dallas has become one of the country’s fastest growing cities.
Sports fans ready to pin their loyalty will have several professional sports teams to choose from. Dallas is of course home to the Dallas Cowboys, “America’s Team,” as well as the Dallas Wings, the Texas Rangers, plenty of golf, and—of course—NASCAR.
If sports aren’t your thing, don’t worry—you’ll have plenty to do with the Dallas Arts District, the largest urban arts district in the country, the Dallas Zoo, Reunion Tower, the Margarita Mile, and more. Dallas also hosts plenty of festivals and major events every year. In fact, while Austin may get SXSW and Houston has the space program, Dallas happens to be home to the biggest cowboy in Texas, the State Fair of Texas mascot, “Big Tex.” The State Fair is the longest running fair in the country and one of its oldest.
A Convergence of Art, History, and Culture
At the center of the North Texas arts scene, Dallas features an array of cultural highlights, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and the historic Majestic Theater. Several neighborhoods are filled with artist lofts and studios, with Deep Ellum bringing art to public with graffiti murals lining the streets, sidewalks, and buildings.
It wasn’t too long ago that Bon Appetit named the Big D the Restaurant City of the Year. Of course, Dallas is in Texas, which means you’re in for plenty of barbeque, authentic Mexican food, Tex-Mex, and margaritas (the frozen margarita machine was invented by Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez!). But as the city has grown in diversity, so have the food choices, with restaurants showcasing a variety of Asian influences, Italian, African, and more. Whether you’re looking for a high-end restaurant or to chill in a beer garden with food truck options, you’ll find it here.
The Silicon Prairie Leads Texas in Post-Pandemic Job Growth
Dallas provides opportunities for job seekers in a diverse number of industries. Technology takes the lead, with Dallas being nicknamed “Silicon Prairie” as a center for big tech. The city is also a center for telecommunications due to Richardson, TX, just north of Dallas, being home to the Telecom Corridor.
Other major industries include finance, defense, transportation, and processing, with Wal-Mart, American Airlines, Bank of America, and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics among the area’s biggest employers.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region has led Texas in recovering from the pandemic’s effects on the job force. As of November 2022, the unemployment rate was at just 3.3 percent.
One of the Lesser Expensive Big Cities
While the cost of living in Dallas is higher than the Texas state average and the national average, life in the Big D is still much lower than comparable major metropolitan areas such as New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, and even nearby Austin.
Although Dallas saw spikes in housing over the last couple of years similar to those seen across the U.S., home prices in December 2022 were down 11.5 percent compared to the same time in 2021, with a median home selling price of $345,000. The end of 2022 also saw homes sitting on the market longer. While the market is still competitive, buyers may find it easier to negotiate the price of their dream home.
The median household income was $69,021 as of the 2021 Census. That number is slightly below the U.S. average for the same year, but there’s good news, too: Texas is one of the few states with no income tax!
Live Big and Bold, Quiet and Quaint, or Hip and Quirky
Dallas may be a big city, but each neighborhood delivers its own experience, whether that is big urban living or small-town feels. Whether you’re looking for great eats, big sports, arts and culture, or a cosmopolitan lifestyle, there’s a neighborhood for you. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Dallas:
LAKE HIGHLANDS
If you prefer the suburban feel, this neighborhood is full of quiet streets lined with trees, nice parks, biking trails, eclectic restaurants, craft breweries, and—for the families—good schools.
UPTOWN
Young professionals love the trendy vibe of Uptown with its juice bars, clean dining, adult arcades, and more. Prices here can be steep, but for many the pedestrian-friendly environment and proximity to Downtown make it worth it.
DEEP ELLUM
Jazz buffs will love Deep Ellum, where great jazz and blues artists once played. The neighborhood is still home to a thriving nightlife, with plenty of live music, restaurants, arts centers, street art, barbeque, and bars.
PRESTON HIGHLANDS
This family-friendly neighborhood gives off small-town feels while being central to all the major motorways in Dallas. Those with school-aged children will also have access to quality schools.
GREENVILLE
Split by the locals into Upper and Lower Greenville, this neighborhood offers luxury condos, historic homes, and recent developments to choose from. Foodies will love the ramen shops, coffee houses, and the Truck Yard, a beer garden surrounded by food trucks.
Other neighborhoods to include in your Dallas home search:
- Highland Park
- Bishop Arts District
- Oak Lawn
- Preston Highlands
- Campbell Green
Your Choice of Freeways, Rails, and Trolleys
Dallas is a big city, one of the biggest in the U.S., so knowing how to get around when you get here is important. Some folks think taking your car is the best choice, especially if you’re journeying outside of the downtown area. But if you’re talking about cities where motorists lose the most hours to traffic, Dallas is up there with drivers losing about 56 hours per year sitting in their cars.
Thankfully, the Big D has a robust public transportation system. The DART buses and light rail will get you from downtown to outlying areas of the city, including its two airports. Those sticking to the downtown area can opt to take the Dallas Streetcar or check out an electric scooter share.
If you’re trekking between Uptown and downtown, you could also experience living history with a ride on a McKinney Avenue Trolley. These air-conditioned and heated vintage trolleys have been fully restored for a clean, reliable, and free journey.
Dallas is Home to One of the Largest School Districts
The Dallas Independent School District is one of the largest school districts in the U.S. with over 200 schools serving the city. The School for the Talented and Gifted, one of the district’s magnet schools, has frequently been named one of the best public high schools in the United States by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. Dallas also has over 100 private schools to choose from.
For those moving to Dallas and seeking a higher education, the city is home to several great universities and colleges, including Southern Methodist University, The University of Texas at Dallas, and University of North Texas.
Humid Summers with Welcoming, Mild Winters
In Texas, summertime means sunshine. Living in Dallas, you can expect hot, humid summers with mild winters that rarely experience snow. Even with the occasional pesky thunderstorm, Dallasites enjoy year-round walks and bike rides around the city’s four lakes.
The coldest month is January, with average low temperatures of 33 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August balance that cold air out with highs into the 90s.
10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Dallas
Whether you’re looking for sports, rich history, culture, a hopping nightlife, or an adrenaline rush, Dallas has plenty to offer. Here’s a list of 10 must-dos in the Big D:
- Get to know your new city by taking a food tour through the most popular foodie neighborhoods.
- Enjoy a 360-degree view of Dallas from the iconic Reunion Tower.
- Check out a Dallas Cowboys game or, if you’re not into football, just see what else is happening at the AT&T Stadium. It’s the world’s largest dome-shaped stadium and features an art museum, interactive classroom, and more!
- Take a ride or enjoy some churros at Six Flags Over Texas.
- If you love nature, visit the Texas Discovery Gardens for beautiful flowers, a two-story butterfly house, and the Snakes of Texas house.
- Learn about the pioneers of the aviation industry at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, where you can see real aircraft and spacecraft.
- Get used to sitting in a saddle with a trail ride through the Ascend Camp and Retreat Center.
- Examine the life, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
- If you can handle the obstacles, enjoy a fun-filled day at Trinity Forest & Southern Cross Adventure Center.
- Steep yourself in music, arts, innovation, and culture at Deep Ellum, one of the liveliest spots in Dallas.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 25, 2015 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
