So you're thinking about moving to Dallas, Texas? You might be in for some surprises—both good and bad.
As a real estate broker who helps families relocate to North Texas all the time, I see the same patterns emerge with nearly every out-of-state move. There are certain realities about living here that consistently catch people off guard, no matter how much research they've done beforehand. Some of these surprises are pleasant. Others require a bit of mental adjustment.
Let me walk you through the five things that surprise newcomers most when they make the move to Dallas and North Texas.
The Cost of Living Reality
People are constantly coming to Texas for the low cost of living, and that reputation is still deserved in many ways. However, many newcomers arrive with outdated expectations, particularly when it comes to housing costs.
There's a persistent myth that you can still buy a mansion in Dallas with a $300,000 budget. That's simply not the case anymore. According to recent data, median home prices nationally were $416,000 last quarter, and here in DFW they were about $440,000. So we're actually slightly higher than the national median.
Now, before that number scares you off, keep this in mind: you're living in a major metro area. I challenge you to take that same $440,000 budget to any other major metro and get the same number or quality of homes you can buy here in Dallas. The value proposition remains strong—it's just not quite as dramatic as it was a decade ago.
I saw a study showing that New Yorkers spend 68% of their income on rent. Your housing costs in Dallas are highly unlikely to ever hit that percentage of your income. They might just be higher than you initially expected.
Here's the good news, though: all the other things that support your lifestyle are much more affordable here. Gas is cheap, groceries are cheap. It's affordable to eat out, and there are tons of great entertainment options that won't break the bank. Even your car and home can be maintained much more affordably.
Consider this perspective: a person living in San Francisco with a $100,000 income can have the same quality of life in Dallas for about $55,000. Just imagine the remote worker who takes their six-figure San Francisco salary and moves it to North Texas. They can immediately upgrade their quality of life without changing their income at all.
Understanding Texas Taxes
The good news is that Texas is one of only nine states that don't have a state income tax. You're going to see more of your paycheck every month, and that's a real advantage if you're moving from a high-tax state.
But something that surprises a lot of people—and catches them off guard during their first year of homeownership—is the reality of our property taxes. They're probably higher than you think.
If you're buying that median-priced home around $450,000, you're probably looking at a tax bill somewhere between $8,000 and $9,000 annually. That's a real number that needs to be factored into your monthly housing costs. This is the trade-off that catches a lot of people off guard, but it's essentially how we fund our entire state government without that income tax.
On top of property taxes, we do have a sales tax. The state sales tax is 6.25%, and most localities add another 2%. So you're generally looking at about 8.25% sales tax on most purchases.
When you run the numbers on the total tax picture—no income tax, moderate property taxes, reasonable sales tax—most people moving from high-tax states still come out significantly ahead. You just need to understand the full picture before you arrive.
The People of North Texas
The people of North Texas are incredibly welcoming and friendly. I don't know exactly how they measure this, but Big 7 Travel recently ranked Texas as the fourth most friendly state in the nation.
I host a podcast about living in and moving to North Texas, and almost every guest who's relocated here tells me how surprised they were by how welcoming and friendly the people are. There's a genuine warmth here that you feel immediately, whether you're at the grocery store, a neighborhood event, or just chatting with someone at a coffee shop.
North Texas is also remarkably multicultural and diverse. I often joke that if you drive far enough down Preston Road, you can find food from every culture under the sun. We have thriving communities from around the world, incredible international restaurants, and a level of cultural diversity that surprises people who might have outdated stereotypes about Texas.
There really is something here for everybody in North Texas, and the welcoming nature of the people makes it easy to build a community and feel at home quickly.
It Gets a Little Hot Here
Another thing that might surprise you about North Texas: it's a little hot here. And this past summer was a perfect example—we had 40 to 50 days over 100 degrees. When it's in the 90s, it honestly feels like a cold front has moved through.
The good news is that Texas has great weather about nine months of the year. We have beautiful springs, pleasant falls, and winters that are generally mild and pleasant. But those summer months? They're intense.
Air conditioning is a big part of our culture here. You're going to want a house with great AC—not just for your comfort, but for your sanity. We live in air conditioning. And you'll probably find yourself choosing activities in the summer that are in indoor environments. Shopping malls, museums, entertainment venues—anything with climate control becomes very appealing from June through August.
Be warned: it gets hot here. But if you can handle three months of serious heat in exchange for nine months of great weather, it's a trade-off that works for a lot of people.
Dallas is Great for Foodies
When it's hot, one of the best things you can do is go out to eat. And fortunately, Dallas has an incredible food scene.
Of course we have barbecue—who doesn't love Texas barbecue? We also have authentic Tex-Mex, another Texas staple that we do better than anywhere else. But beyond those obvious strengths, you can find a little of everything here.
We have a really underappreciated restaurant scene, and I genuinely believe that a big part of the fun of living in Dallas is exploring all the new restaurants. The dynamic range of options is impressive, from high-end fine dining to incredible neighborhood gems serving international cuisine from around the world.
Get ready to be pleasantly surprised by all your food options in Dallas. It's one of those unexpected perks that really enhances your quality of life in ways you might not have anticipated.
The Bottom Line on Moving to Dallas
There's a little bit of everything here for you in North Texas, and while there are definitely a few surprises along the way, the overall quality of living in Dallas is exceptional.
Yes, housing costs are higher than the Texas stereotype suggests. Yes, property taxes require some adjustment if you're not used to them. And yes, you'll need to embrace air conditioning as a lifestyle necessity for a few months each year.
But you're also getting a thriving economy, no state income tax, incredibly friendly people, remarkable diversity, outstanding food, and a cost of living that still allows you to maintain a higher quality of life than you could in most other major metros across the country.
If you're seriously considering a move to Dallas or anywhere in North Texas, I'd encourage you to visit during different seasons, talk to people who've made the move, and really understand both the surprises and the advantages that come with living here.
