Dallas, Texas, a bustling metropolis, contrasts sharply with Southeast Montgomery, Texas, a smaller, rural community. The differences are apparent across various aspects including crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, and much more. While Dallas offers the excitement of city life with a range of industries and entertainment options, Southeast Montgomery boasts a calmer pace with a focus on the oil and gas industry.
When it comes to crime and safety, Dallas experiences higher crime rates compared to the national average, particularly for property crime. This could be attributed to its urban setting and larger population. On the other hand, Southeast Montgomery enjoys lower crime rates, generally offering a safer environment thanks to its smaller, more tightly-knit community. Both cities, however, have robust law enforcement and safety measures in place.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Southeast Montgomery is significantly lower than in Dallas. Dallas, being a metropolitan city, comes with higher costs for housing, entertainment, and dining. In contrast, Southeast Montgomery, as a smaller town, offers affordable housing options and generally lower costs for goods and services.
Income Tax
Both Dallas and Southeast Montgomery benefit from Texas's lack of state income tax. This can result in significant savings for residents compared to those living in states with an income tax.
Property Tax
While property taxes vary depending on the specific area, overall, taxes tend to be higher in Dallas due to the higher property values. Southeast Montgomery usually sees lower property taxes reflecting its lower overall cost of living.
Sales Tax
Texas does not have a state income tax, making it attractive from a financial standpoint. The state sales tax of 6.25% applies to both Dallas and Southeast Montgomery, with local taxes pushing Dallas's combined sales tax slightly higher.
Income
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Estimated median household income
$57,995
$85,955
Estimated per capita income
$38,479
$42,611
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
101.8
If you make $50,000 in Dallas, you will have to make $52,966 in Southeast Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Geographically, Dallas is located in the flat North Texas prairie, while Southeast Montgomery is in a more forested area, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Geographical information
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Land area
342.5 sq. miles
483.9 sq. miles
Population density
3,761.4 people per sq. mile
596.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Dallas, TX Southeast Montgomery, TX
Education
Dallas provides a vast range of education options, featuring several school districts and higher education institutions like Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Dallas. Southeast Montgomery, meanwhile, is part of the Conroe Independent School District, which offers reputable education but has less diversity in terms of educational institutions.
The larger city of Dallas presents a variety of work opportunities in industries such as healthcare, education, and technology. Contrastingly, the economy of Southeast Montgomery is largely driven by the oil and gas industry, due to Houston's influence, and offers fewer job opportunities in other sectors.
Biggest Employers
Dallas houses many Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. Southeast Montgomery, on the other hand, counts oil and gas companies like ExxonMobil and Anadarko Petroleum among its biggest employers.
In Dallas (Dallas County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Southeast Montgomery (Montgomery County), 19.1% voted for Democrats and 79.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
2020
65.1%
27.5%
33.4%
71.4%
1.4%
1.2%
2016
60.8%
22.4%
34.7%
73.5%
4.5%
4.0%
2012
57.3%
19.1%
41.8%
79.9%
1.0%
1.0%
2008
57.4%
23.2%
42.0%
75.9%
0.6%
0.9%
2004
49.0%
21.4%
50.4%
78.2%
0.5%
0.4%
2000
45.0%
22.0%
52.7%
76.0%
2.4%
2.0%
1996
46.0%
26.5%
46.8%
65.2%
7.2%
8.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.9%
12.8%
2.4%
1.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
11.0%
19.0%
31.1%
34.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.6%
2.2%
1.1%
1.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.4%
1.5%
0.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.2%
1.7%
1.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
0.9%
1.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
0.7%
1.2%
Weather
Weather in both Dallas and Southeast Montgomery is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters, typical to Texas. However, Dallas tends to experience more severe weather conditions such as hail storms and tornadoes due to its location in the infamous Tornado Alley.
Weather and climate
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Temperature - Average
66.6°F
68.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.3%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
36.9%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.3 in
49.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
43%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Dallas, Texas
Average climate in Southeast Montgomery, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Dallas
2018
86
93
5.7
2.9
28.7
26.5
N/A
N/A
9.7
8.3
0.4
N/A
2017
84
92
5.5
3.1
28.6
27.5
N/A
N/A
9.1
8.6
0.3
N/A
2016
81
81
6.1
3.5
27.2
27.0
N/A
N/A
8.4
8.7
0.2
N/A
2015
85
93
6.5
3.4
26.7
26.0
N/A
N/A
8.9
9.2
0.3
N/A
2014
83
84
6.3
3.6
27.6
26.3
N/A
N/A
9.9
9.3
0.3
N/A
2013
97
100
7.3
3.2
28.8
27.6
N/A
N/A
13.0
9.7
0.2
N/A
2012
116
102
8.6
4.6
31.0
26.4
N/A
N/A
12.0
10.2
0.3
N/A
2011
98
113
9.4
5.0
30.9
29.5
N/A
N/A
11.9
10.9
0.6
N/A
2010
79
100
9.4
5.0
28.3
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
0.7
N/A
2009
88
106
9.2
4.9
28.8
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
0.5
N/A
2008
88
99
9.8
5.4
29.2
27.2
0.121
N/A
N/A
11.3
0.5
N/A
2007
94
115
11.0
5.9
25.7
25.3
0.070
N/A
N/A
11.4
0.3
N/A
2006
107
113
10.8
6.5
30.6
28.8
0.106
N/A
N/A
11.3
0.7
N/A
2005
108
120
13.0
6.9
29.7
29.2
0.142
N/A
11.0
12.8
0.9
N/A
2004
96
103
12.3
6.8
26.0
26.5
0.099
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
N/A
2003
102
115
13.6
7.4
27.1
26.4
0.121
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
N/A
2002
100
113
14.0
7.4
25.2
26.6
0.080
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.4
N/A
2001
100
133
14.3
7.5
26.0
25.8
0.069
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
N/A
2000
109
120
14.5
6.3
27.0
27.9
0.092
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
254.7%
174%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
567%
69.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
30%
Transportation
Dallas has more comprehensive public transportation, including Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail service, which offers wide coverage across the city. Southeast Montgomery has limited public transportation with most residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting.
Transport
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
2
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
56
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Bicycle
0.3%
0.2%
Bus
1.4%
1.4%
Carpooled
10.9%
13.6%
Car alone
83.9%
79.1%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
1.6%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Average
31.5 min
32 min
Real Estate
When it comes to real estate, Dallas can offer everything from apartments in high-rise buildings to suburban homes, but at a noticeably higher cost. Southeast Montgomery is characterized by single-family homes in spacious, rural settings, generally at affordable prices.
Neighborhoods
Dallas neighborhoods offer a variety of living experiences, from the upscale Highland Park to the culturally rich Bishop Arts District. Conversely, in Southeast Montgomery, neighborhoods like Imperial Oaks and Legends Run offer a quieter, family-friendly environment.
Houses and residents
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
Houses
591,773
77,705
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.8
Houses occupied
536,008 (90.6%)
72,515 (93.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
229,518 (42.8%)
53,683 (74%)
Houses occupied by renters
306,490 (57.2%)
18,832 (26%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,403
$1,329
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$574,934
$298,290
Estimated median house or condo value
$267,600
$288,981
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.8
Renting percentage
55.9%
30.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,727.6
160.6
Household income disparities
48.2%
43.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,309 (1%)
10,543 (25.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,320 (2.6%)
21 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,846 (99%)
30,480 (74.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.2%)
1,769 (4.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,351 (4.2%)
1,550 (3.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
43,703
6,391
State government workers
17,325
3,200
Unpaid family workers
754
296
Industries and Occupations
Dallas boasts a diversified economy with major industries being healthcare, education, technology, and finance. Southeast Montgomery, being in close proximity to Houston, leans heavily on the oil and gas industry, with many residents employed in related occupations.
In terms of healthcare, Dallas has superior facilities with many nationally ranked hospitals, including UT Southwestern Medical Center. Southeast Montgomery, as part of the Greater Houston area, also offers good healthcare facilities but lacks the number and diversity seen in Dallas.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
In terms of infrastructure, Dallas exceeds Southeast Montgomery with well-developed highways, rail lines, bus routes, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Southeast Montgomery, while having necessary infrastructures, lacks the breadth and depth of facilities seen in Dallas.
Infrastructure
Type
Dallas
Southeast Montgomery
TV stations
25
27
Culture and Food
Dallas boasts a vibrant culture, with numerous museums, theaters, music venues, and diverse dining, featuring everything from Tex-Mex to international cuisine. Southeast Montgomery, while possessing a smaller range of cultural experiences, provides plenty of local charm and traditional Southern and Texan cuisine.
Sports Teams
Sports enthusiasts will find more options in Dallas, home to the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), and Texas Rangers (MLB), among others. Southeast Montgomery residents, however, tend to follow Houston-based teams like the Houston Texans (NFL) and the Houston Astros (MLB).
Dallas, TX
Southeast Montgomery, TX
