Moving to Dallas, TX

If your wishlist for where to live next includes:

• Outstanding education
• Diverse neighborhoods
• A thriving job market
• A subtropical climate where it rarely snows
• and some of the best Malls in the country

Then Dallas ticks all these boxes and more. Read on to discover why Dallas is a great choice when it comes to choosing where to live next.

Cost of Living

Moving to Dallas offers a mix of affordability and rising costs. Dallas is slightly more expensive than average U.S. cities, particularly in rent and utilities. That said, homeownership can be more affordable than in places like California or New York.

Overall, Dallas’s cost of living is about 2% above the national average and 7% higher than the Texas state average.

Housing:

• Home prices: The Median single-family home is around $414,000
• Rent: One-bedroom apartments average $1,300 per month, with the average renter needing an annual salary of $71,400 to afford it

Other essentials:

• Utilities are about 16% above the national average
• Groceries are on par or slightly cheaper, with clothing about 7% higher
• According to Numbeo, a single person spends about $1,246/month (excluding rent)

For a more comprehensive insight into the cost of living in Dallas, visit www.numbeo.com

You may also like to read: Moving to a New State. If you are moving interstate, then you will find this guide invaluable as it includes checklists and tips to make every aspect of your move easier.

Best Schools & School Districts

If you’re moving with family or planning to start one, education is a major priority, and Dallas offers excellent education through public magnet, gifted, and private schools.

Top Districts & Public Schools

The Dallas–Fort Worth metro boasts elite districts with some highly ranked schools.

Within Dallas ISD, standout campuses include:

• William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard
• Sudie L. Williams TAG Academy, Lakewood Elementary, and the School for Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove all rank in the state’s top 20.

High school rankings feature:

• Ewell Townview Center (No. 1 in Texas, 6th nationally)
• Within magnet/charter schools, Dallas includes Science & Engineering Magnet (SEM), Booker T. Washington, and others are regarded as among the top schools in the country.

Private & Prep Schools

Highly rated private institutions like Lakehill Preparatory (A+ rating) offer K-12 education with low student-to-teacher ratios.

For a more comprehensive look at schools in the Dallas area, visit www.greatschools.org  

You may also like to read: How to Choose a New School. In this guide, we suggest what to look out for when choosing a new school for your kids.

Neighborhoods

Dallas divides into Downtown, Uptown, East, West, South, and Northwest Dallas, Lake Highlands, Oak Cliff, Oak Lawn, University Park, and more suburbs such as Arlington, Addison, Irving, and Grapevine.

• Downtown, along with Uptown and Oak Lawn, is the epicenter of urban life characterized by crowded retail, restaurants, and flourishing nightlife.
• East Dallas, containing many neighborhoods, is the largest area north of Highway I-30, extending from Central Expressway to White Rock Lake. It is a homey but hip area featuring many old-fashioned houses and vintage shops.
• North Dallas is made up of several more upscale neighborhoods, while Northwest is home to Kreatown and the city’s second biggest airport, Dallas Love Field.
• Oak Cliff is a residential district southwest of downtown, and one part is a large low-income area, while another nestles upscale homes.
• South Dallas is home to the Texas State Fairgrounds, and the Fair Park is open all year. It is also home to several museums.
• West Dallas is largely an area hit by poverty, but also by redevelopment projects. It does feature The Belmont Hotel, which offers a unique view of the city.

Neighborhoods at a Glance:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Highlights	Typical Cost
Uptown, Deep Ellum, Arts	Urban, nightlife, walkable	Mid-high
Lake Highlands, Lakewood	Family-friendly, excellent schools	Mid-high
Bishop Arts District	Creative, trendy, amenity-rich	Mid ($325k)
University Park	Upscale, top schools, affluent families	High ($1M+)
Richardson/Plano suburbs	Great schools, community feel	High ($400k+)

Central & Urban Favorite Spots

• Uptown – popular with young professionals; walkable, full of restaurants/bars
• Deep Ellum & Dallas Arts District – vibrant nightlife, arts, and cultural hubs
• Downtown offers direct access to business, entertainment, and transit.

Family-Friendly Areas

According to multiple real estate rankings, these are the most family-friendly neighborhoods:

• Lake Highlands: Safe, strong schools; great for families
• Lakewood: Historic charm, proximity to White Rock Lake; upscale.
• Far North Dallas: Mix of urban & suburban; close to Galleria, outdoor activities
• Bishop Arts District: Trendy, artistic vibe with walkable amenities; houses average $325k.
• University Park: High median income ($198k), top-tier safety & schools, homes average $1.17 M

Suburban Options (in Plano, Richardson, etc.)

• Prestonwood (Dallas): Ranked #14 in metro; solid schools, typical middle‑class TX feel
• Richardson subdivisions, such as Heights Park, Canyon Creek, and Owens Park, are all rated A+ for safety, community, and schooling

Safest Neighborhoods in Dallas

Neighborhoods rated safest include Wilshire Heights, Old Lake Highlands, Greenway Parks, and Midway Hollow, with Wilshire Heights offering craftsman-style homes and proximity to excellent schools.

To discover more about the different neighborhoods of Dallas, visit www.niche.com 

You may also like to read: How to Choose a Great Neighborhood. In this guide, we suggest things to take into consideration when choosing a new neighborhood.

Job Market & Work Opportunities

Dallas has a strong local economy with numerous employment opportunities:

• The DFW metro recorded a 1.3% growth last year, adding around 53,600 non‑farm jobs.
• Unemployment is low at around 3.8%, which is slightly below the national average; wages are about 6.4% above the U.S. average ( $1,483 per week vs $1,394).

Booming Employment Sectors in Dallas

• Clean energy & infrastructure:

Texas ranks 2nd nationally in clean energy job growth (4.1% YoY); Dallas benefits from this eco-boom.

• Technology & AI:

Dallas is a rising tech hub with about 20k new tech positions and $1.1 B in startup funding in 2025. The median tech salary is around $95k

Significant AI and data center development: Dallas–Fort Worth has 141 data centers; part of a $500 billion statewide AI investment

• Finance & professional services:

A growing financial hub with Goldman Sachs (4,600 employees, expanding to 5,000 by 2028)

Geico is adding 1,000+ jobs in Richardson by fall 2025

Nasdaq launched a regional office in Dallas, attracted by corporate relocations

Manufacturing, logistics, defense, energy: Including ExxonMobil, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, along with a strong logistics hub.

• Youth training and entry-level roles:

Expansion in high school vocational programs; Fort Worth grads earning diplomas + certifications in healthcare and skilled trades

Job Opportunities in Dallas

Indeed currently lists around 3,800 Dallas jobs ranging from trucking, technical, to remote roles

There is high demand for network engineers, protective services, and customer support, with salary ranges from $13 per hour to $1,200+ per week.

Discover what jobs are on offer in Dallas at www.indeed.com  

You may also like to read: Moving for Work. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of moving for a new job.

Tips for Moving to Dallas

Budget for housing: Expect a competitive market, aim for $1.3k–$1.8k per month rent or homeownership budgets from $300k upward.

Research the Neighborhoods: Prioritize neighborhoods based on school quality, safety, lifestyle, and cost. Suburbs like Richardson and Plano offer excellent schools at mid-tier prices.

Secure work: If you’re a professional in tech, finance, clean energy, or logistics, Dallas is becoming the place to be.

Consider the future: Long-term, infrastructure expansion (including AI/data centers and clean energy) suggests future job and housing demand growth, so now seems like an ideal time to move here.

To discover more about what Dallas has to offer, visit www.visitdallas.com

You may also like to read: How Much Do Movers Cost in Dallas? If you are moving locally within or to Dallas, then in this guide, we look at average moving costs and how to find a great mover in Dallas.

And be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.