Why is Houston so cheaper than Dallas (Fort Worth, The Woodlands: utilities, income)

[R1070]

Houston’s more centralized sports venues are a definite plus when it comes to large events, but let’s not get too crazy saying it’s more urban than Dallas and so on. The population is larger because the land area absorbs a lot more of the surrounding suburbia. If the population was that high in a smaller area, that would be impressive. As it stands now, both cities have similar PPSM metrics and that includes the large swaths of incorporated Dallas that are not developable. I can’t think of one area that’s more urban in design than Central Dallas.

[LocalPlanner]

DFW has more walkable urban districts than Houston (outside of their downtowns). I could only wish that Houston had districts that were as walkable as Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, and Uptown. Midtown's OK, but Montrose and Washington are lacking in comfortable walkability. Uptown / Post Oak has improved a lot, but still converting from a purely suburban model. EaDo, 2nd Ward, Almeda, White Oak...yes people walk but frankly sidewalks and crosswalks just need a lot more improvements.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by spacecitytx

Lol...

Yes, the breakdown is necessary because the first thing Dallas homers like to do in debates like this is include FW when it suits them...usually when it comes to population numbers and pathetic attempts to one-up Houston in the economics department, such as the ridiculous "more fortune 500 companies" argument. Yes, DFW (meaning Dallas, Fort Worth, and all the millions of suburbs surrounding them) has more fortune 500 companies...but neither Dallas OR Fort Worth or those millions of suburbs by themselves has more fortune 500 companies than HOUSTON BY ITSELF. Houston is one big shining single star, whereas DFW is a conglomeration of a couple of mid-size stars helped by a number of comets surrounding them. And this is why Houston is almost always chosen as the premier event destination in Texas. There's no "confusion" as to where an event will be held, whereas in DFW, it could be in one of the thousands of suburbs.

I've said a million times that I like Dallas, but homers like you don't make it easy. To be bluntly honest, Dallas by itself is nowhere near Houston's level as a city. Houston is twice the size, more urban, and has a better party and event scene. DFW, AS A COLLECTION, is a force to be reckoned with however. That's the fairest comparison I can come up with.

I agree with the bolded completely. As a city, Dallas is nowhere near Houston's level imo. Some of that is fair, because Houston is almost twice the size with twice the number of people. But I think Houston offers the best urban living in Texas (having lived in both central Austin and Dallas as well).

I think DFW's suburbs are second to none and if I was going to choose a suburban lifestyle, it would be there. I've always said Houston is better for city living, Dallas is better for suburban living.

It's funny too because a friend came down from Dallas this weekend and brought a friend who had never been to Houston with her (and lives in Carrollton). We hung out with them a good chunk of the weekend and last night sitting at a restaurant, her opinion of her weekend was "I like it here but y'all turn up too much, its too noisy and busy, its too much construction and the traffic is terrible. I'll be back to visit soon though!"

That's Houston in a nutshell lol.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

I honestly rarely get the vibe from Dallasites themselves. I’m fairly well connected there and they certainly don’t act like these C-D homers.

To be fair Houston homers are annoying from the other side too though.

[stoneclaw]

There are definitely things in Dallas that i wish Houston would get on ball with. Midtown/Mid-Main area was getting there before the pandemic and it always appeared to be swarming with people when i went.

One thing i've always been envious of Dallas is Mockingbird Station and their Subway/Central Place. I was so disappointed because It seemed that Houston had the opportunity to answer to that with the new Westpark/Lower Uptown transit center, but of course, they chose the most plain, souless, boring transit model to build, rather than something more cutting edge. Same goes for the Northwest transit center.

Dammit Houston!

[dallasboi]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

I honestly rarely get the vibe from Dallasites themselves. I’m fairly well connected there and they certainly don’t act like these C-D homers.

To be fair Houston homers are annoying from the other side too though.

Dallas homers are hated because we always have to correct misinformation.

[spacecitytx]

Originally Posted by R1070

Houston’s more centralized sports venues are a definite plus when it comes to large events, but let’s not get too crazy saying it’s more urban than Dallas and so on. The population is larger because the land area absorbs a lot more of the surrounding suburbia. If the population was that high in a smaller area, that would be impressive. As it stands now, both cities have similar PPSM metrics and that includes the large swaths of incorporated Dallas that are not developable. I can’t think of one area that’s more urban in design than Central Dallas.

In DESIGN, yes. In REALITY, not so much (at least not by a prominent amount).

[spacecitytx]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

DFW has more walkable urban districts than Houston (outside of their downtowns). I could only wish that Houston had districts that were as walkable as Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, and Uptown. Midtown's OK, but Montrose and Washington are lacking in comfortable walkability. Uptown / Post Oak has improved a lot, but still converting from a purely suburban model. EaDo, 2nd Ward, Almeda, White Oak...yes people walk but frankly sidewalks and crosswalks just need a lot more improvements.

I can certainly agree with all of this.

[spacecitytx]

Originally Posted by Mr. Clutch

I agree with the bolded completely. As a city, Dallas is nowhere near Houston's level imo. Some of that is fair, because Houston is almost twice the size with twice the number of people. But I think Houston offers the best urban living in Texas (having lived in both central Austin and Dallas as well).

I think DFW's suburbs are second to none and if I was going to choose a suburban lifestyle, it would be there. I've always said Houston is better for city living, Dallas is better for suburban living.

I've always said this as well, and I can't think of anyone who would disagree with this assessment. Still...The Woodlands owns them all.

It's funny too because a friend came down from Dallas this weekend and brought a friend who had never been to Houston with her (and lives in Carrollton). We hung out with them a good chunk of the weekend and last night sitting at a restaurant, her opinion of her weekend was "I like it here but y'all turn up too much, its too noisy and busy, its too much construction and the traffic is terrible. I'll be back to visit soon though!"

That's Houston in a nutshell lol.

Pretty much, lol.

[spacecitytx]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

I honestly rarely get the vibe from Dallasites themselves. I’m fairly well connected there and they certainly don’t act like these C-D homers.

To be fair Houston homers are annoying from the other side too though.

To be honest, the only time I see Houston homers get ridiculous is in defense of the city. Maybe I should read more threads, lol.