What are the big differences between living in Houston and living in Dallas? (Plano: city hall, school districts)

[Johnhw2]

Looking at temperatures is flawed too as humidity levels are a big deal which is why summer temps in Dallas can and often exceed Houston's. Houston air is moist so it takes a lot more heat to get to a higher temperature. Humidity is a big part of the difference story to me, I find my fav days in Dallas are those crisp cool fall or early spring days when the temp is cool and humidity levels very low in Dallas. in my 30 pls years living in Houston I do not recall those days happening often if at all.

I chuckled at the alley differences' which are real thought I live in Plano without an alley and lived in Energy corridor decades on an alley. I did not like alley living despite our alley being paved and wide enough that two vehicles could pass.

[utche96]

Originally Posted by Johnhw2

Looking at temperatures is flawed too as humidity levels are a big deal which is why summer temps in Dallas can and often exceed Houston's. Houston air is moist so it takes a lot more heat to get to a higher temperature. Humidity is a big part of the difference story to me, I find my fav days in Dallas are those crisp cool fall or early spring days when the temp is cool and humidity levels very low in Dallas. in my 30 pls years living in Houston I do not recall those days happening often if at all.

Very true. Moisture in the air acts like a temperature buffer in both directions. Dallas temperatures may be hotter at times during the day, but will feel less muggy. Dallas summer evenings are cooler as the air cools off quicker due to less moisture to condense.

[LocalPlanner]

The alley thing does stand out as a significant difference. Way more prevalent in Dallas than in Houston. I do wonder how that came about.

[mkwensky]

All of this weather and culture stuff is not likely useful to the OP based on his responses. Might want to speak more about secular sobriety communities/resources or dating in general.

[texstout]

I grew up in the Northern Houston suburbs and currently live in an inner-Dallas neighborhood. While my experiences between the burbs and the city are as different as night and day, I would say the general cities are fairly similar. Key differences I've seen:


- Dallas suburbs seems to have a much higher $ appreciation. My parent's home (in a desirable suburb, large lot, good schools, etc.) has barely appreciated over the years - not compared to friend's homes in Plano, etc.
- Houston has more diversity in the Central area - although less evident in many suburbs.
- Houston's northern suburbs are much more green and heavily forested. Dallas doesn't have anything similar.
- Houston has more Medical industry and Oil/Gas. While Dallas has more Hi-Tech, telecom, etc.
- Seems like Dallas is doing more to attract out of state companies to relocate to it. (Which also influences appreciation).

[Frustratedintelligence]

Originally Posted by oil capital

Averages can obscure more than reveal. The hottest days of summer, Dallas exceeds Houston temperatures by well more than 3 degrees. Today is a good example. As I type this at 7:43 pm, the temp in Dallas is 103 (feels like 107 - high for the day: 109); Houston: 90 (feels like 99 - high for the day: 100).

Averages give you a general idea about what you can expect as the usual; not extreme examples that only happen a handful of days every other year (like that year Houston had a white Christmas while Dallas didn't). As I'm typing this, Houston has a heat index of 101 while Dallas is showing 100. Throughout the year they're close enough that neither is always going to be much hotter/colder than the other.

It ultimately just comes down to whether or not you prefer a more or less wet climate.

[oil capital]

Originally Posted by Frustratedintelligence

Averages give you a general idea about what you can expect as the usual; not extreme examples that only happen a handful of days every other year (like that year Houston had a white Christmas while Dallas didn't). As I'm typing this, Houston has a heat index of 101 while Dallas is showing 100. Throughout the year they're close enough that neither is always going to be much hotter/colder than the other.

It ultimately just comes down to whether or not you prefer a more or less wet climate.

I'm wondering where you are getting your weather info. As I type this at 2:30 pm, Weather.com reports Dallas heat index at 109; Houston's is 105.

By definition, averages tend to flatten out the extremes and the extreme temperature days are really the ones to be concerned about.

The difference in winter is greater than you are pretending as well. For January, 2022, Dallas's average temperature was 45.35; Houston: 55.05. Dallas's average high temp for January: 57.45. Houston: 65.26 Dallas's average low temperature: 33.13. Houston: 45.68

Dallas's highest and lowest temps for January were 74 and 18. Houston: 85 and 34.

[Frustratedintelligence]

Originally Posted by oil capital

I'm wondering where you are getting your weather info. As I type this at 2:30 pm, Weather.com reports Dallas heat index at 109; Houston's is 105.

I used the same source as you.

By definition, averages tend to flatten out the extremes and the extreme temperature days are really the ones to be concerned about.

Today is an extreme weather day and both cities are hot as Hades. I think it's time to admit you guys are just splitting hairs at this point.

[oil capital]

Originally Posted by Frustratedintelligence

I used the same source as you.



Today is an extreme weather day and both cities are hot as Hades. I think it's time to admit you guys are just splitting hairs at this point.

The data does not look like hair-splitting to me. It shows that Dallas is hotter in the hottest parts of the summer by both nominal temperature and heat index measurements (but Houston's heat goes on for more weeks/months) and Dallas is significantly colder in the winter.

[mkwensky]

Originally Posted by oil capital

The data does not look like hair-splitting to me. It shows that Dallas is hotter in the hottest parts of the summer by both nominal temperature and heat index measurements (but Houston's heat goes on for more weeks/months) and Dallas is significantly colder in the winter.

Sounds like you managed to show Dallas can get a few degrees hotter during the hottest time of the day, when no one who doesn't love sauna would be out. Are you also saying it doesn't cool off a lot more quickly in the evening?