Mariela Lovo OlREALTOR® Español
(214) 952-7518Coldwell Banker Realty

Dallas County (with parts in Collin, Denton, Kaufman and Rockwall counties) · TX

Pros and cons of moving to Dallas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The pros and cons of moving to Dallas come down to access, taxes and weather. You get two airports, rail and a wide range of housing, and you trade that for high property tax rates, hot summers and spring storms. Here is a balanced look.

Pro: Are two airports close by?

Dallas Love Field sits inside the city, and DFW International Airport serves more than 86 million customers a year. Frequent travelers can pick a home based on whichever airport they use most.

Pro: Can I use rail instead of driving?

DART runs 93 miles of light rail on four lines through downtown. Living near a station gives you a real alternative for trips downtown and to DFW Airport.

Pro: Does Texas tax my income?

No. Texas has no personal income tax, which leaves more of each paycheck in your hands. Plan for property and sales taxes instead.

Pro: How much housing variety does Dallas have?

You can choose a high-rise condo in Uptown, a loft in Deep Ellum, an early 1900s home in Lakewood or Oak Cliff, or a large lot in Preston Hollow. Start with Dallas homes for sale.

Pro: What parks and trails can I use?

White Rock Lake anchors East Dallas, with the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum on its shore. The 3.5-mile Katy Trail runs through Uptown.

Con: How high are property taxes in Dallas?

For tax year 2025, a home in the City of Dallas and Dallas ISD faced about $2.23 per $100 of value before exemptions. Budget carefully with the Dallas property tax guide.

Con: How hot and stormy does it get?

The National Weather Service says highs often reach 100 degrees in July and August. North and Central Texas average 26 tornadoes a year, with April and May the busiest months.

Con: Will hail affect my insurance?

Hail is a common reason for roof claims in North Texas. Expect insurers to ask about roof age, and compare wind and hail deductibles before you buy.

Con: Will I need a car and a toll tag?

Outside the rail corridors, Dallas is car-oriented. Toll roads are common, and drivers without a TollTag pay twice the TollTag rate.

Con: Why do district lines matter so much here?

Dallas crosses five counties and many school districts. Two homes with a Dallas address can have different tax rates, appraisal districts and schools, so check every address.

Common questions

What are the main downsides of living in Dallas?

The biggest trade-offs are property taxes, summer heat, spring hail and tornado season, and a car-oriented layout with toll roads. Each can be planned for with the right address and budget.

What are the main advantages of living in Dallas?

Dallas has two airports, DART light rail, a wide range of housing types and no state income tax. Parks like White Rock Lake and the Katy Trail add everyday outdoor options.

How do I decide if Dallas fits my budget?

Add the full property tax rate, insurance, utilities and tolls to your mortgage estimate. Then compare that total across two or three areas of the city.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Dallas, Irving, Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Lewisville cities, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Uptown, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Deep Ellum, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Lakewood, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Lake Highlands, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Oak Cliff, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Preston Hollow, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Far North Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  10. DART Rail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Airport Facts & Figures, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Dallas Love Field, City of Dallas Department of Aviation (read 2026-09-24)
  13. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Dallas ISD: Enroll / Find Your School, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Dallas ISD Magnet Programs, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Texas School Report Cards (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Special Purpose Districts, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Notice to Purchaser of Special Taxing or Assessment District (TREC 59-0), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Homestead Exemption Application Filing, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  22. About Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Power to Choose, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Sanitation Services, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Friends of the Katy Trail, Friends of the Katy Trail (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas Arboretum (read 2026-09-24)
  27. 2025 Tax Rates, Dallas County Tax Office (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Dallas leaders approve $5.66 billion budget after 14-hour debate, CBS News Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Texas Sales and Use Tax Rates – July 2026, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Valuing Property, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  33. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Dallas Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2021, Chapter 3: General Compliance, UpCodes (City of Dallas adopted code) (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Building Inspection: Frequently Asked Questions, City of Dallas Development Services (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 757.002 – Application, Texas Health and Safety Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Texas Property Code Section 82.157 – Resale of Units, Texas Property Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  38. 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program Types, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (read 2026-09-24)
  39. HomeStyle Renovation mortgage, Fannie Mae (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  41. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  42. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  43. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  44. Texas Water Code Section 49.452 – Notice to Purchasers, Texas Water Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.