Top Reasons for Moving to Houston from Dallas
The two cities are close. It will take you a little over 3 hours if you take the I-45 S. Though they are both fantastic places, but there is a long standing rivalry among them. There are however, some very good perks for staying in Houston. For instance, house prices in Houston cost 16% less than Dallas. There are many good restaurants, green spaces, and better employment opportunities.
Pros & Cons – Dallas Vs. Houston
- Housing cost in Houston is 16% less than in Dallas
- Dallas cost of living index is 101.6. It is 96.5 in Houston
- Utilities, food, grocery, health costs… everything is cheaper in Houston
- Many Fortune 500 companies in Houston
- Strong job growth figures
- Houston gets 53 inches of rain a year, Dallas 39 inches
- Houston serves more than 220,000 students a year
Housing, Cost of Living
The median housing cost in Dallas is $214,700, while in Houston it is $185,500, which makes it $29,000 lower. Home prices have gone up in both the cities, but there have been higher increases in Dallas. Homes have appreciated by 62% in Dallas, but only by 42% in Houston. The rent price in both the cities is almost the same, though.
The cost of living in Dallas is 101.6. In Houston it is 96.5, which makes it lower than the national average. Which means, you will save money in Houston. Food and groceries is cheaper by 1%, health costs by 1.6%, and utilities by 3.5%.
Economy, Jobs
Dallas and Houston both have retail, agriculture, health care, energy, finance, and transportation businesses. Houston also has aerospace as it is the home of NASA. The city additionally has medical research and bioscience. The Texas Medical Center is the world’s largest medical complex. It is the largest single employer in Houston.
The tech and engineering sectors are also stronger here. The city is the headquarter of more Fortune 500 companies than anywhere else in the US except for New York.
Transportation, Traffic
The transportation modes and how long it will take you is about the same. 76% of the residents have their own cars, 11% take a carpool, and 4% use public transport. The commute time is also similar.
Weather, Climate
Dallas is a bit hotter in the summer and colder during the winter than Houston. They can both be hot and sticky. There is more rain in Houston as it is closer to the Gulf of Mexico. The city gets more hurricanes. However, there are many downtown underground walkways in Houston, which makes it more convenient for the pedestrians who want to avoid the heat, humidity, or rain.
Education
Houston has excellent education infrastructure, which is why many students looking for a university come to study here. There are more than 20 colleges and universities in the city. Rice University is a leading research institute, while Texas Southern and Baylor College of Medicine are among the top places for learning.
Healthcare
A large section of the population is interested in relocation to Houston because it has advanced medical facilities, including the world’s largest medical center. Graduates from the world’s top medical schools come to the MedCenter and work at renowned hospitals like the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The city has many nationally ranked hospitals in specialty areas.
Food
Houston is an amazing city for food lovers. The city has more than 10,000 eateries and restaurants. Cuisines from almost every country and culture makes its food scene diverse. You will find Italian, Indian, vegan, burgers, steaks, Chinese, and everything else. Many award-winning chefs have their restaurants.
Culture, Diversity, Demographics
In the last two decades, the population of Houston has grown by 16%. Dallas has seen a 9% growth. You will find people from all communities… whites, Hispanics, Asians, Africans, and Native Americans. The city has symphony orchestra, theater, opera, and a professional ballet group. It is accommodating, culturally and ethnically diverse.
