If you’re planning to move to Texas, choosing between the city center and the suburbs can be tough. Each has its pros and cons. Dallas and Houston, for example, are two of Texas’s major economic hubs, offering plenty of jobs and a lively urban atmosphere. Meanwhile, suburbs have peaceful neighborhoods, good schools, and plenty of open areas out in the ‘burbs. So, the ‘burbs or downtown: where would you prefer to live? Let’s take a closer look to help you decide.
Urban Living in Dallas
Dallas has plenty of living options with unique vibes. Uptown is a favorite for young professionals because of its lively atmosphere, popular restaurants and bars, and luxury apartments. Downtown is also a growing area, with many historic buildings being transformed into industrial-style lofts, along with a growing number of modern apartments and condos.
If you prefer something artsy and eclectic, Bishop Arts District and Deep Ellum are good options. These neighborhoods are very walkable, with numerous local boutiques, offbeat cafes, and craft breweries, making craft beer fans love this area. Apartments, townhomes, and condos mainly consist of the housing, with prices from $300,000 up to over $1 million for luxury units.
When it comes to getting around, downtown Dallas is more convenient than most Texas cities thanks to the DART train system. The DART system makes life easier, though most residents still depend on their cars for daily activities. The city is also becoming more pedestrian-friendly in almost all areas.
What about safety? For more details, check out our full article on ‘Is Dallas Safe?‘
Urban Living in Houston
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the nation and one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. The city, being a major economic hub, boasts a diverse variety of neighborhoods, ranging from business districts to peaceful residential neighborhoods.
Houston’s real estate market keeps growing, with modern apartments, condominiums, and lofts being built in and around Downtown. Midtown is a popular choice for those seeking a vibrant urban lifestyle, with its many restaurants, bars, and apartments. The Heights, meanwhile, offers a more laid-back atmosphere with bungalow-style homes, leafy streets, and a vibrant community. For art and culture lovers, the Museum District offers a variety of interesting museums and public spaces.
Despite the growth of Houston, many people choose to live in the suburbs like Sugar Land, Katy, and The Woodlands for their quieter neighborhoods, quality schools, and ample green space. We noticed several homes for sale in Harvest Green, a master-planned community with modern homes and plenty of family-friendly amenities.
However, one of Houston’s main issues is transportation. While Dallas has a well-established network of public transportation, Houston’s is not as developed, and car ownership is effectively a necessity. The city is not as conducive to walking as some major cities, and daily commutes are more dependent on private cars.
Dallas or Houston: Which City is Better for You?
Dallas and Houston have distinct personalities. Dallas has a more well-organized, modern, and appealing city layout, while Houston is more diverse, relaxed, and vibrant. The biggest difference might be the zoning regulations—Dallas has stricter zoning, while Houston doesn’t have zoning laws that limit development.
In terms of climate, both can be very hot in the summer, but Houston is more humid and gets more rain, due to its location near the Gulf of Mexico. This makes many homebuyers in Houston more aware of the risk of flooding.
Economically, Dallas excels in finance and telecommunications and has several large companies headquartered here. Houston, by contrast, is a hub for the energy industry, healthcare, and aerospace. There are numerous career opportunities in engineering and medical research.
Hopefully, the brief explanation above helps you choose between living in Dallas or Houston.
Conclusion
Deciding between living in Dallas or Houston isn’t easy. There are several factors to consider:
Careers and Industries: Dallas excels in finance, technology, and corporate headquarters, while Houston is stronger in energy, healthcare, and aerospace.
Climate: Houston is more humid with high rainfall, while Dallas has drier, hotter air.
Transportation: Dallas has a more developed public transportation system (DART), while Houston relies more on private cars.
Housing Prices and Space: Homes in the Houston suburbs are generally more affordable than Dallas, but Dallas offers more gentrified neighborhoods.
Education: Both cities have excellent school districts, but suburbs like Plano (Dallas) and The Woodlands (Houston) are often the top choices for families.
We hope this article helps you decide where to live.
Is Dallas safe to live in or visit? This is one of the questions we get from people wanting to relocate or visit. Dallas is one of the largest and rapidly growing cities in the United States and welcomes thousands of new residents each year with its growing economy and rich history. Safety is always a concern in any big city, of course. Some areas of the city have higher crime rates, but many of its neighborhoods are family-friendly and safe. Here, we’ll look at how safe Dallas really is, based on facts and personal experience.
As Dallas natives, we can say the city has plenty of safe areas. Like any big city, though, safety varies depending on the area. To make it easier to understand, we’ll cover everything from crime rates to how safe different neighborhoods are and how easy it is to get around.
Dallas Crime Rates
Dallas has higher-than-average crime rates, BUT crime isn’t spread evenly across the city. Some areas have more crime than others, but many are safer and good places to live.
According to recent statistics, Dallas’s crime index is 3 out of 100, meaning it’s safer than only 3% of U.S. cities. But this doesn’t apply to the whole city. Most Dallas neighborhoods are safer than average, making them desirable and safe places to live.
Violent Crime in Dallas
Violent crimes in Dallas include homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault. While the city’s violent crime rate is higher than the national average, that’s not true for the whole city. There are areas that have lower crime rates due to active law enforcement and strong community involvement.
The Dallas Police Department implemented various strategies to combat violent crime, including crime reduction task forces, increased community policing, and advanced surveillance technology. These strategies contributed to the decline of various violent crime categories over the past few years.
Property Crime in Dallas
Property crimes—like burglary, car theft, and larceny—are more common than violent crimes in Dallas. Car theft and home break-ins are some of the most reported incidents, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
For added security, homeowners are encouraged to install home security systems, motion-sensitive lights, and not leave valuables in cars. Many Dallas neighborhoods also feature active homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and neighborhood watch groups, which contribute to a safer environment and less property crime.
Safest Neighborhoods in Dallas
Despite its crime issues, Dallas is home to many safe and family-friendly neighborhoods that offer a great quality of life. While crime rates vary depending on the area, several neighborhoods in and around the city are consistently among the safest.
1. Highland Park
Highland Park is one of the wealthiest suburbs in the Dallas metropolitan area, with luxury homes, tree-lined streets, and extremely low crime rates. As one of the richest towns in Texas, Highland Park has a well-funded, independent police department that offers rapid response times and regular patrols.
2. University Park
North of Highland Park lies the highly sought-after community of University Park, which offers a safe and family-friendly environment. Southern Methodist University (SMU) is located in the area and has its own police department that keeps the area safe. Its high civic engagement and well-maintained open spaces make it one of the safest places to live.
3. Preston Hollow
In North Dallas, the community of Preston Hollow is defined by large estates, celebrity residents, and private security services. With many of the houses in gated complexes and additional security patrols, residents get extra protection. The prosperity of the community and the well-maintained roads also contribute to the safety of the area.
4. Lakewood
Lakewood is located in East Dallas and is a charming and historic neighborhood that is popular among families, young professionals, and retirees. With its proximity to White Rock Lake, the neighborhood is peaceful and close-knit. While not nearly as upscale as Highland Park or Preston Hollow, Lakewood is mostly free of crime thanks to the active neighborhood associations and engaged residents.
5. Coppell
Coppell is always among the safest areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With excellent police presence, good schools, and active neighborhood watch programs, Coppell boasts very low crime rates compared to the city of Dallas itself. Families enjoy Coppell’s safety but still want the city’s conveniences nearby.
Areas in Dallas with Higher Crime Rates
Although Dallas is home to many safe neighborhoods, there are areas that have had higher crime rates. But trends in crime change over time, and some of the neighborhoods are improving as redevelopment happens and law enforcement becomes more active.
1. South Dallas
South Dallas, particularly within ZIP code 75216 and 75215, is one of the city’s high-crime areas and is partly responsible for the city’s violent crime rates. While community programs and redevelopment activities have reduced the occurrence of specific offenses to a certain extent, gang-related and drug-related offenses are still present in parts of the area.
2. West Dallas
There is more crime in areas of West Dallas that are experiencing economic transition. Revitalization efforts, such as new housing developments and increased police presence, have contributed to lower overall crime in some of these areas.
3. Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff is a large area with a mix of high-crime and safer neighborhoods. Gentrification and urban renewal have made the Bishop Arts District safer and more lively. However, caution is still advised in the rest of Oak Cliff, where property crime and occasional violent incidents occur.
While certain areas are more likely to experience higher rates of crime, overall crime in Dallas has gone down significantly in 2024, with homicides down 26.21% from the year before. Even with this decline, Dallas’s crime is still higher than the national average, so it’s a good idea to look into specific areas if you’re considering relocating to or visiting the area.
Public Safety Initiatives in Dallas
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has implemented many programs aimed at increasing public safety and reducing crime:
Expanded Community Policing: DPD police officers interact with residents regularly to build trust and discuss safety issues. Programs like the Neighborhood Police Officers (NPOs) focus on prevention to combat crime and improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community.
Increased Surveillance Technology: The Connect Dallas program enables businesses and residents to register their security cameras with the DPD. By doing so, law enforcement has easier access to footage for investigations, which helps deter crime and improve how quickly they can respond. They also use automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to monitor stolen vehicles and suspects.
Crime Prevention Programs: The city offers crime prevention courses, home security inspections, and neighborhood watch programs. These services help citizens play an active role in making their neighborhoods and homes more secure. They’ve contributed to lowering crime in areas where residents actively participate.
These efforts have contributed to a drop in certain crimes, especially in neighborhoods with strong community involvement.
How Safe Is Downtown Dallas?
The downtown area of Dallas is a bustling business and entertainment district. The district is safe during the day, with a strong police presence and a lot of people around. At night, though, it’s smart to be more cautious, especially in poorly lit or isolated areas.
Transportation Safety in Dallas
Public transport in Dallas is provided by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) through buses and light rail. While generally safe, the period from January to March 2024 had an 18% increase in reported offenses compared to the same time the year before, with more assaults, drug offenses, and thefts. It’s a good idea to be cautious and stay alert, especially at night. Most residents prefer to use ridesharing services or personal vehicles for safety reasons. Dallas roads are generally in good condition, but heavy traffic increases the risk of accidents, so defensive driving is recommended.
Safe and Family-Friendly Neighborhoods
Families relocating to Dallas also look for secure neighborhoods, good schools, and parks nearby with easy access. Suburbs like Frisco, Plano, and Allen are known for being safe and family-friendly, and have easy access to the city. A few Dallas neighborhoods also have active homeowner associations (HOAs) that partner with the police to improve safety.
Nightlife Safety
Dallas has a lively nightlife, and the trendy Deep Ellum, Uptown, and Knox-Henderson districts attract large crowds. While mostly safe, these areas sometimes see minor crimes like theft. To stay safer when out at night: travel in groups, use ridesharing services instead of walking alone, and avoid confrontations with strangers.
Jobs and Economic Stability
Dallas is economically strong with large corporations like AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments that offer steady employment. Lower unemployment usually coincides with lower crime rates, as economic stability makes the community safer.
Is Dallas a Safe Place to Live?
Safety varies across Dallas neighborhoods. Some areas have higher crime rates, while others are safe, family-friendly, and offer a high quality of life. People can enjoy everything Dallas has to offer while minimizing risk by choosing the right neighborhood, following safety tips, and staying aware of their surroundings. Hiring labor only movers in Dallas will make the process less stressful and easier, so that you can relocate to your new, secure neighborhood with confidence.
Take a look at the infographic below for a summary of the information above
