Austin vs Dallas — Which Is the Best City In Texas?

Angie Ufomata
Living in Austin Texas
4 min readFeb 8, 2022

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“Everything is bigger in Texas,” as the saying goes, and quality-of-life standards in the Lone Star State’s biggest cities are no exception.

When it comes to Dallas vs. Austin real estate, both cities are among Texas’ most coveted, with local Texans and newcomers alike fighting for houses and reshaping communities. If you’re relocating to Texas and aren’t sure whether Austin or Dallas will be the greatest fit for you, you’ve come to the perfect place. I’m going to discuss the contrasts between each city as well as what makes them distinct.

Austin:

Austin’s metro region has over 2 million people, up nearly 3% over the previous year. It is one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States, with the most population increase among Texas’ largest cities. Austin welcomes roughly 184 new inhabitants daily.

Culture and Life Style:

Austin is a free-spirited city. I must admit, though, that the strangeness has subsided. It doesn’t matter how you dress or what hair color you have; there’s a level of acceptance here in the city that I respect. It’s also a highly technical city, or as I like to put it, creative, in the sense that there are many startups and some large companies here. The University of Texas is also a prominent role in Austin’s culture, bringing in many students from various backgrounds who leave a lasting and positive influence on the city.

Employment:

As I previously stated, Austin is a high-tech city; therefore, you’ll find corporations like Samsung, Tesla, and SpaceX. It also boasts Oracle, whose primary offices are currently located in Austin. It features Apple’s second campus, which cost over a billion dollars to develop, players like Google and Facebook, and everything in between. Aside from the IT industries, there is also healthcare, with Baylor Scott and White, Seton, and other hospitals.

Entertainment:

The majority of Austin entertainment takes place outside. It has the beautiful Colorado River running right through the heart of the city, as well as multiple waterways such as downtown’s Ladybird Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Travis, all of them are reservoirs created by dams where you can enjoy water sports such as boating, fishing, paddle boarding, and so much more. Together with trekking, cycling is a significant part of life. The hill country lifestyle is very stunning, and I’d say that Austin’s geography is a hidden gem that most visitors to the area are unaware of. Austin is also renowned as the world’s live music capital. As a result, music, art, and movies are all extremely significant to the city; they all blend in this beautiful location we call Austin. The Austin FC, a professional Austin soccer team, is another thing you can enjoy for entertainment in Austin.

Housing:

The median home price in the Austin-Round Rock metro area is $470,000, whereas it is $440,000 in the city of Austin.

Photo by Kirk Cameron on Unsplash

Dallas:

With nearly 7 million citizens, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro region is the fourth biggest in the US. Over the last decade, the city has acquired 1.2 million citizens, with only Houston and New York gaining more.

Culture and Life Style:

You have modernization in Dallas culture, which is highly urban, chic, and well-put-together. When it comes to the city itself, it is a melting pot of individuals from all walks of life, which is a plus.

Employment:

For employment in Dallas, there are financial services, which is a significant part of the industry, with corporations like JP Morgan, Chase Bank of America, and others. Then there’s Toyota, which has its North American headquarters in Plano. In terms of career opportunities, it also boasts a lot of significant-tech corporations like IBM and Texas Instruments, as well as more healthcare.

Shopping and Food:

Moving on to eating and shopping With sites like Barton Creek and contemporary live-work spaces like The Domain, Austin offers a conventional mall experience. For some, the Domain is their home, and for others, it is their workplace. The Domain is home to significant corporations such as Charles Schwab and Vrbo, among others.

Entertainment:

Several outdoor activities are available in Dallas, such as the Dallas Zoo and adventure parks where you may zipline. They have a lot of parks and trails that are similar to Austin’s, but Austin’s lush nature is a touch nicer. From the Dallas Museum of Art to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to the Develop Arts Festival and historic buildings like the Bath House Cultural Center, and Dallas Heritage Village, there are a wealth of things to satisfy your cultural taste in Dallas. They have the Dallas Cowboys as their professional team.

Shopping and Food:

Because Dallas is a considerably larger city, there are many more alternatives for shopping and dining than in Austin. You’ll discover upmarket options like Highland Park Village, where you can shop till you drop, as well as some opulent experiences at North Park Center. You’ll discover everything from hip urban stores owned by tiny company owners to cuisine establishments that have been around for a long time.

Housing:

The median home price in Dallas is around $413,000. This is significant in terms of housing costs, and I would say that Dallas outperforms Austin in this regard.

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Angie Ufomata
Living in Austin Texas

Hi, I’m Angie, a Realtor® in Austin and surrounding areas. Thinking of moving to Austin? https://austinhomeproperties.com/