So why are people moving to Dallas? There are several reasons people are choosing Dallas as their new home. From cost of living to job market opportunities, the DFW area is a hot spot for growth in Texas. So whatever is bringing you to Dallas, let's discuss some essential tips and insights into living in Dallas so you can make the most of it.
Introduction to Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas, is a rapidly growing city with a unique blend of modern skyscrapers and historical landmarks, offering an excellent quality of life and abundant economic opportunities. The city is located in the heart of the DFW metro area, providing easy access to major cities like Fort Worth and Plano.
Dallas, Texas, is an attractive destination for young professionals, families, and individuals looking for a lower cost of living compared to cities like San Francisco and New York. The city's booming economy, rich cultural experiences, and outdoor recreational opportunities make it an exciting choice for those considering relocating to the Lone Star State.
Dallas Population and Demographics
The DFW metro area is home to roughly 8.3 million people. It is widely considered one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Fort Worth by itself has just topped 1 million people, surpassing Austin as Texas' fourth-largest city. And while the city of Dallas has modest growth, areas like Frisco, McKinney, Fort Worth, and others are driving a metro area growth of 7-8% since 2020.
The population of the DFW area is becoming increasingly younger and more diverse, with a median age of 33 years and a diverse cultural and ethnic blend. Median household incomes are on the rise, at $67,700, with 40% of the adult population holding at least a bachelor's degree.
Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas
Suppose you're considering a move to or have already started moving to Dallas. In that case, there are many considerations, both positive and negative, for overall living.
Pros of Living in Dallas
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Thriving job market, with significant presence in tech, aerospace and defense, and automobile manufacturing.
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Affordable housing in comparison to other major cities, with a median price of $440,000 as of June 2025.
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Lower state income tax (actually zero), in contrast to other major cities.
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The city's vibrant arts district, professional sports teams, and diverse neighborhoods like Highland Park and Oak Lawn offer a unique Dallas life experience.
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Mild winters and enjoyable weather versus other cities in other regions.
Cons of Living in Dallas
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Hot summer weather, easily averaging in the mid to high 90s from May until October.
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The metroplex is widespread, and traffic can be brutal, taking hours to cross from one end to the other.
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Higher property taxes in some areas, due to varying municipal utility district taxes.
Cost of Living in the Dallas Area
The cost of living in Dallas and the surrounding area is generally lower compared to other major cities in the U.S., with affordable housing prices and lower transportation costs. With the median home price in the area being around $440,000, there is value in comparison to cities in California, Colorado, or New York. Other cost-of-living considerations include:
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No state income tax - High earners can save 4-13% over places like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, giving a significant raise to those making the move.
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Low utility costs - Due to Texas' deregulated energy market, consumers can shop rates, keeping bills lower.
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Lower transportation costs - Gas prices, auto registration, and insurance fees are all below the national averages.
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Grocery and restaurant pricing - Prices run 4-10% lower than coastal cities like NYC, Boston, or San Diego.
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DFW boasts one of the lowest overall tax burdens for businesses and homeowners, explaining why companies are moving to the Dallas area.
However, costs can vary depending on the neighborhood, with areas like Downtown Dallas and Uptown tend to be more expensive than suburbs like Frisco and Plano. Overall, the cost of living in Dallas is a major draw for people relocating from higher-cost cities like California.
Dallas Neighborhoods
Dallas has a diverse range of neighborhoods and suburbs to choose from, each with its unique character and charm. Popular neighborhoods like Uptown, Oak Lawn, and Highland Park offer a vibrant urban lifestyle. At the same time, suburbs like Frisco and Plano provide a more suburban feel.
A quick view into some of the most popular and fastest-growing areas includes:
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Frisco - One of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. with top schools, major employers including Toyota, PGA of America, and The Star, and master planned communities that are great for family life.
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Plano - Established, mature, and walkable. A corporate hub to JCPenney, Toyota Finance, and Frito-Lay. A city with top school districts and easy access to public transit options.
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The Colony - Home to one of the largest mixed-use developments, this thriving community is young, with affordable homes and townhomes growing in popularity. It's also close to Lake Lewisville and major highways.
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Rockwall - Home to lake living, boating access, larger home lots, and a strong community vibe for commuters looking for space.
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Uptown Dallas - Trendy, urban lifestyle that's walkable and full of bars, restaurants, and apartments. Young professionals flock there for the blend of live/work/play convenience.
When choosing a neighborhood, consider your lifestyle, family needs, and factors like commute time, access to amenities like hiking and biking trails, entertainment, and schools. Our Dallas movers can also help you settle into the right area, whether you're moving into a high-rise in Uptown or a family home in Frisco.
Education and Schools
Speaking of education and schools, the Dallas area is served by several highly-rated school districts, including the Dallas Independent School District and the Plano Independent School District. Great schools and higher education options are a significant draw for families relocating to the area, with top-ranked universities like the University of Texas at Dallas and Southern Methodist University.
Researching schools and school districts is an essential part of the relocation process, especially for families with kids. Do your proper research up front, but some of the A-rated school districts include:
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Carroll ISD - Consistently ranked #1 in DFW, with a college-prep focus and 99% graduation rate.
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Highland Park ISD - Also an A-rated district, with students achieving high SAT/ACT scores.
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Grapevine-Colleyville ISD - Ranked #2 in DFW area, with strong college readiness and a 95% graduation rate.
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Frisco ISD- A-rated with rapid growth in schools and strong academics.
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Lovejoy ISD - A smaller district with low student-teacher ratios and a 99% graduation rate.
Higher Education Options
Dallas and the surrounding area is home to several highly-rated universities and colleges. These institutions provide a range of academic programs, from undergraduate to graduate degrees, and are a major draw for students and families. The public and private higher education options include:
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The University of Texas at Dallas - Richardson
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University of North Texas - Denton
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Southern Methodist University - Dallas (University Park)
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Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
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Dallas Baptist University - Southwest Dallas
Additionally, the city has several community colleges and vocational schools, providing options for students who want to pursue a specific trade or career. With its many higher education options, Dallas is a great place to pursue a degree or continue your education.
Job Market and Economy
With its booming economy and business-friendly environment, Dallas is a great place to start or grow a career. The Dallas job market is thriving, with a diverse range of industries including technology, healthcare, and finance. The Dallas market has a lower unemployment rate compared to other large cities, making it an attractive destination for job seekers.
The city is home to several major companies headquarters or corporate hubs, including:
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American Airlines
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AT&T
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Tech companies - Texas Instruments, Cisco, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Google
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General Motors (Arlington assembly)
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Toyota
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Fintech/SaaS firms like Opendoor, Apex Fintech, CrowdStrike
Because of its business-friendly government, more and more companies are moving operations or adding operations to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, making the move more appealing to people with a background in tech and manufacturing, since there are multiple options to choose from.
Things to Do in Dallas
Another part of the allure of moving to Dallas is the wide variety of entertainment, dining and culture that the metro area provides. Whether it be sports, dining, music, arts, or museums, the Dallas area has something for everyone.
Dallas Sports
Dallas is represented in every major sport league there is, so if you're a sports fan, the city has you covered, including:
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The Dallas Cowboys - America's NFL team
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Texas Rangers - MLB in Arlington
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Dallas Mavericks - NBA
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Dallas Stars - NHL
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FC Dallas - MLS
Dallas Music Scene
Dallas has a vibrant music scene, with music of all genres happening at a variety of places, including:
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House of Blues in Victory Park - Live music of all genres.
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The Rustic in Uptown - Indoor/outdoor venue with food and live music.
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Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth - The largest honky-tonk in the world
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson - Classical and contemporary music
Family Entertainment, Arts, and History
Dallas has many family-friendly venues to take the kids (or yourself) to and enjoy, including:
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The Dallas Zoo
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Dallas World Aquarium
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Six Flags Over Texas
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Great Wolf Lodge
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The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
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Dallas Museum of Art
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George W. Bush Presidential Library
Dining and Must-Try Food Destinations
If you're looking for steak, Tex-Mex, BBQ, or the latest trendy dining districts, the DFW area has much to offer for each individual taste, with many options in each category, including:
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Upscale Texas Fare - Places like Nick & Sam's, The Capital Grille, and Al Biernat's are area favorites.
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BBQ - Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, Terry Black's BBQ, and the Lockhart Smokehouse come highly rated.
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Tex-Mex - Mi Cocina, Meso Maya, El Fenix, and Javier's are must-tries.
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Trendy Dining Districts - Areas like Deep Ellum, The Bishop Arts District, Uptown, and Legacy West in Plano provide a great variety of restaurants and eateries to try.
Moving to Dallas
Once you've considered factors like housing costs, transportation, and job opportunities and researched the different neighborhoods and suburbs to find the one that best fits your lifestyle and budget, then it's time to do your research on how to move to Dallas. And while moving to Dallas can be a complex process, with the proper planning and support from experienced Dallas movers, it can be a smooth transition. For those on a tight timeline, Same Day Movers and Labor Only Movers can provide a fast, stress-free transition into your new home.
Research Resources
If you're just starting your move to Dallas journey, you'll need to find and use available resources to plan and execute your move. Like any significant life event, the more you plan, the better the result, so we've compiled a list of resources for those planning a move to Dallas.
Schools
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Texas Education Agency - Official school ratings, demographics, and performance data by district.
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GreatSchools.org - Parent reviews, test score comparisons, boundary maps, and ratings
Utilities
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PowerToChoose.org -Texas' official site to compare electricity plans in deregulated areas (Dallas included)
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Atmos Energy - Primary natural gas provider in Dallas
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BroadbandNow - Compare ISPs (AT&T, Spectrum, Frontier) and their speeds in your zip code.
Government Offices
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DMV (Driver's Licenses) - Schedule appointments for licenses, IDs, etc.
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USPS Change of Address - Forwarding Your Mail and Updating Addresses Online.
Realtors
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Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) - Resources to verify real estate licenses and lookup brokerage firms.
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MetroTex Association of REALTORS - Dallas-Fort Worth official realtor association
Movers and Relocation Services
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Move.org - Rankings and reviews of the top Dallas-area movers
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BBB - Resources to verify movers' licenses, insurance, and to view complaint history and ratings.
Final Thoughts and Tips
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offers a lot, with a cost of living that suits all groups, ages, and cultures. The greatest tip we can offer is to explore as many resources as possible during your decision-making process. Texas even has a guide for moving to the state. When you're ready to move (especially if you're moving within Texas), check out the reviews on the moving resources. If the fit is right for you, please contact 3 Men Movers for all of your packing and moving needs. We go beyond for both our established and new Texas neighbors.