Living in Dallas, Texas presents a unique blend of Southern charm, thriving job opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene. On the flip side, Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee, also known as Music City, boasts of a rich historical heritage, booming entertainment, and healthcare sectors. This comparison examines in detail the critical sectors in both cities — from safety to health care — and presents comprehensive insights to those considering relocation or a simple visit to either city.
Distance between
Dallas, TX and
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 615.8 miles
Dallas's population is larger by 90%. Its population has grown by 99,877 people (8.4%) since 2000. The population of Nashville-Davidson has grown by 133,327 people (24.4%) during that time.
Safety is always a primary concern when moving or visiting a new city. Comparatively, Dallas has a higher crime rate than Nashville-Davidson. While both cities have made great efforts in ensuring safety, it's important to stay aware and take precautions. Dallas has put in place cameras and lighting in high-crime areas, and Nashville-Davidson operates various community-based programs to improve safety.
Cost of Living
Dallas has a slightly higher cost of living compared to Nashville-Davidson due primarily to higher housing costs. Nashville-Davidson, however, has seen costs rise with its growing popularity and influx of new residents. Nevertheless, both cities are generally cheaper compared to major coastal cities.
Income Tax
Texas, including Dallas, has no state income tax. Similarly, Tennessee recently eliminated state income tax, bringing Nashville-Davidson in line with Dallas on this front.
Property Tax
Dallas' property taxes are higher than Nashville-Davidson’s. In Dallas, the average property tax rate is around 2.08%, while in Nashville-Davidson, it's approximately 0.97%.
Sales Tax
Both Dallas and Nashville-Davidson have no state income tax. However, Dallas has a sales tax rate of 8.25%, and Nashville-Davidson's is slightly higher at 9.25%.
Income
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Estimated median household income
$57,995
$64,857
Estimated per capita income
$38,479
$42,268
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
90.9
If you make $50,000 in Nashville-Davidson, you will have to make $52,860 in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Dallas is relatively flat with a few artificial lakes, while Nashville-Davidson lies in a basin surrounded by rolling hills, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Both Dallas and Nashville-Davidson have invested heavily in education, boasting many quality public, private, and charter schools. Dallas is home to several universities including Southern Methodist University, while Nashville-Davidson is renowned for being a hub for higher education, with schools like Vanderbilt University.
Dallas is recognized for its strong economy, primarily thriving in sectors such as technology, financial services, and defense. Nashville-Davidson’s economy, however, is best known for its health care, music, and tourism industries. Both cities have favorable job markets with various opportunities.
Biggest Employers
In Dallas, some of the largest employers include AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Health Resources. Nashville-Davidson's largest employers comprise Vanderbilt University, Nissan North America, and HCA Healthcare.
There were 2,245 building permits issued in Dallas in 2012 (1436 more than in 2011) compared to 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011).
In Dallas (Dallas County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
2020
65.1%
65.0%
33.4%
32.6%
1.4%
2.3%
2016
60.8%
60.1%
34.7%
34.1%
4.5%
5.7%
2012
57.3%
58.5%
41.8%
39.9%
1.0%
1.6%
2008
57.4%
60.0%
42.0%
39.0%
0.6%
1.0%
2004
49.0%
54.9%
50.4%
44.6%
0.5%
0.4%
2000
45.0%
57.9%
52.7%
40.4%
2.4%
1.7%
1996
46.0%
79.3%
46.8%
18.1%
7.2%
2.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.9%
4.9%
2.4%
2.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
11.0%
14.1%
31.1%
19.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.6%
0.8%
1.1%
1.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
1.5%
1.5%
1.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
1.1%
1.7%
1.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.2%
0.9%
0.8%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.8%
0.6%
0.9%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
0.0%
1.0%
0.0%
0.5%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.1%
1.3%
Weather
Dallas experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. On the other hand, Nashville-Davidson has a humid subtropical climate with slightly less heat intensity during the summer but colder winters that may have snowfall. Therefore, for individuals who prefer a warmer climate, Dallas can be a more appealing option.
Weather and climate
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Temperature - Average
66.6°F
58.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.3%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.3 in
49 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
17.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
17.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
59.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
65%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
42%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
7.7 mph
Average climate in Dallas, Texas
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
2018
86
71
0.40
N/A
5.7
13.8
28.7
24.1
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
9.7
9.2
0.4
0.2
2017
84
70
0.38
N/A
5.5
14.4
28.6
26.8
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
9.1
8.7
0.3
0.1
2016
81
90
0.42
N/A
6.1
16.1
27.2
26.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
10.1
0.2
0.0
2015
85
68
0.43
N/A
6.5
15.5
26.7
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
10.8
0.3
0.1
2014
83
66
N/A
N/A
6.3
N/A
27.6
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.9
9.8
0.3
1.4
2013
97
62
N/A
N/A
7.3
N/A
28.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
9.7
0.2
N/A
2012
116
81
N/A
N/A
8.6
N/A
31.0
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.0
11.0
0.3
2.3
2011
98
81
N/A
N/A
9.4
N/A
30.9
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
11.0
0.6
1.7
2010
79
80
N/A
N/A
9.4
N/A
28.3
24.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
0.7
2.2
2009
88
72
N/A
N/A
9.2
N/A
28.8
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.5
0.5
2.4
2008
88
81
N/A
N/A
9.8
N/A
29.2
25.7
0.121
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.4
0.5
2.5
2007
94
99
N/A
N/A
11.0
N/A
25.7
27.4
0.070
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.5
0.3
2.7
2006
107
93
0.69
N/A
10.8
N/A
30.6
24.9
0.106
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.9
0.7
2.9
2005
108
104
0.56
N/A
13.0
N/A
29.7
23.5
0.142
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
16.9
0.9
3.1
2004
96
83
0.61
N/A
12.3
N/A
26.0
22.0
0.099
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
2.6
2003
102
93
0.67
N/A
13.6
N/A
27.1
18.5
0.121
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.8
1.0
3.8
2002
100
92
0.67
N/A
14.0
N/A
25.2
20.2
0.080
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
0.4
4.3
2001
100
95
0.89
N/A
14.3
N/A
26.0
19.5
0.069
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
1.0
4.5
2000
109
97
0.74
N/A
14.5
N/A
27.0
19.8
0.092
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
4.1
Natural disasters
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
254.7%
169.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
567%
296.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
17%
Transportation
Dallas has diverse transportation options, including the well-organized DART system, making commuting easy within the city. Nashville-Davidson's public transit is also evolving, with the Nashville MTA bus system making it quite commuter-friendly.
Transport
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
2
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
56
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Bicycle
0.3%
0.3%
Bus
1.4%
1.2%
Carpooled
10.9%
9.8%
Car alone
83.9%
85.5%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.6%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Average
31.5 min
31.3 min
Other means
26.5 min
23.4 min
Public transportation
46 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.8%
88.7%
In 2 person carpool
9%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
2.6%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Dallas tends to be more expensive than in Nashville-Davidson, with a wide range of luxurious condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. Nashville-Davidson has a more affordable and diverse housing market, attracting many young professionals and artists.
Neighborhoods
Both Dallas and Nashville-Davidson offer diverse neighborhoods, each with its unique charm. In Dallas, popular neighborhoods include Uptown, Highland Park, and Lake Highlands, while East Nashville, Sylvan Park, and Belmont-Hillsboro are sought-after areas in Nashville-Davidson.
Houses and residents
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
Houses
591,773
331,262
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.3
Median year apartment built
1987
1986
Median year house/condo built
1969
1984
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13.9 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
536,008 (90.6%)
305,247 (92.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
229,518 (42.8%)
162,426 (53.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
306,490 (57.2%)
142,821 (46.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,403
$1,391
Median monthly housing costs
$1,225
$1,291
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$574,934
$221,129
Estimated median house or condo value
$267,600
$346,700
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$410,272
$437,686
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$255,160
$320,904
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$230,927
$319,119
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$444,589
$305,249
Median house price - mobile homes
$91,039
$133,346
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$350,045
$328,258
Median house price - All housing units
$402,215
$412,434
Median house age
40
35
Renting percentage
55.9%
44.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,727.6
699.9
House value disparities
41.3%
31%
Household income disparities
48.2%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$103,798
$93,092
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$61,909
$68,871
Housing units without a mortgage
1,309 (1%)
3,189 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,320 (2.6%)
10,988 (9.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,846 (99%)
110,850 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.2%)
333 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,351 (4.2%)
13,192 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.9%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
One, detached
41.8%
50.9%
One, attached
4.3%
8.4%
Two
1.5%
3.3%
3 or 4
4.9%
3.1%
5 to 9
7.9%
7.1%
10 to 19
12.1%
8.7%
20 to 49
8.1%
5.3%
50 or more
18.4%
11.9%
Mobile homes
1.0%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
43,703
31,952
State government workers
17,325
15,693
Unpaid family workers
754
463
Industries and Occupations
Dallas is a hub for many Fortune 500 companies and is recognized for sectors such as technology, financial services, and defense. In contrast, Nashville-Davidson is the heart of the country music industry, with a substantial healthcare sector, hosting large corporations such as HCA Healthcare.
Both Dallas and Nashville-Davidson benefit from high-quality health care. Dallas residents have access to medical centers like UT Southwestern, while Nashville-Davidson is a leading healthcare provider with renowned hospitals such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Dallas boasts impressive infrastructure, with developments such as the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and numerous highways. Nashville-Davidson has been focusing on expanding and improving its infrastructure to cater to its growing population, celebrated for its well-planned infrastructure especially in downtown.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Dallas
Nashville-Davidson
1999
5,030
2,397
2000
3,390
1,451
2001
2,626
1,130
2002
2,657
1,075
2003
3,617
2,231
2004
5,460
2,731
2005
7,445
3,231
2006
7,397
3,720
2007
5,056
2,419
2008
2,200
952
2009
1,121
532
Culture and Food
Dallas is a multicultural hotspot, with Tex-Mex and barbecue being local favorites. Nashville-Davidson is famed for its music culture, particularly Country and Bluegrass music, and food scenes with iconic dishes like hot chicken and barbecue ribs.
Sports Teams
Dallas is home to several major sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and the Dallas Mavericks (NBA). Nashville-Davidson also has notable teams like the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and the Nashville Predators (NHL).
Dallas, TX and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 615.8 miles
Dallas, TX and 
Nashville-Davidson, TN : 615.8 miles
