Insider Tips for Relocating Your Career to Dallas
Maybe you’ve bought the hype around the new “Silicon Prairie.” Maybe you’re looking for a lower cost of living than your standard tech hub. Maybe you’ve just gone through a breakup and need a fresh start (hey, it happens!).
Whatever your reason, moving to Dallas, Texas, is an attractive choice. In fact, Concero recently announced that we’re expanding our services into the Dallas staffing scene. We made that decision because we firmly believe Dallas to be the perfect home for ambitious professionals and thriving businesses of all sizes.
We’d love for you to join us. But before you give Dallas your “yee-haw”, read this article to make sure it’s the right fit.
What is the cost of living like in Dallas, TX?
They say everything’s bigger in Texas (it’s the 2nd largest state in the nation!). Thankfully, when it comes to the cost of living, the opposite is true.
For those accustomed to living in the typical tech hubs, moving to Dallas is as much a monetary decision as anything else. But regardless of where you’re coming from, let’s see whether the cost of living in Dallas is worth the move.
Is Dallas an expensive place to live?
It depends on what you’re used to. According to Payscale, Dallas’s cost of living overall is 3% higher than the national average. While housing is 2% cheaper, utilities are about 11% more expensive.
But compared to traditional tech hubs, Dallas’s cost of living is far more affordable:
- 55% lower than New York City
- 7% lower than San Francisco, CA
- 5% lower than Boston, MA
- 4% lower than Washington, DC
How much salary do you need to live comfortably in Dallas?
The salary needed to live comfortably in Dallas, TX, depends on a range of factors. According to RentCafe, the Dallas median income is $58,231. If you’re in a high-demand career—like IT or accounting—you should easily be able to exceed that pay rate. This should give you sufficient income to live comfortably in Dallas.
What’s the state of the Dallas job market?
Surprising as it may seem, Concero isn’t expanding into Dallas for the BBQ or an up-close Cowboys game. And it’s certainly not for the *ahem* unique *ahem* traffic patterns. No, we’re moving to Dallas because the job market is booming, and we want a piece of the action.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), last year Dallas added 68,000 jobs. This makes it the third highest city for job creation in the nation. What’s more, major technology and finance companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, Intuit, JPMorgan Chase, and others have either relocated their headquarters or significantly expanded their operations in the city.
For high-value skills like IT & accounting, opportunity abounds. You just have to be willing to take advantage of it. That’s what we’re doing, at least.
Top attractions in Dallas
But Dallas isn’t all work, no play. On the contrary! Dallas includes a host of fun attractions, including:
- See the city overlook from the GeO-Deck of Reunion Tower
- Tour the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys
- Visit the largest art district in the nation
- Recharge your mental and physical health with the greenspace in Klyde Warren Park
- Keep the kids entertained by visiting the Dallas Arboretum, Botanical Garden, Children’s Aquarium, and Dallas Zoo—the oldest and largest zoo in Texas
Of course, with a city the size of Dallas, this list is barely scratching the surface. But it should give you an idea of what you can expect when the weekend hits and it’s time to kick back. In fact, we’d say that Dallas embodies what it means to work hard, play hard.
What’s the culture like in Dallas?
Dallas is a diverse city with various subcultures. The city’s diversity is reflected in lots of ways, not the least of which is the cuisine. Dallas is famous for its BBQ, authentic Mexican, and Tex-Mex offerings. (Fun fact: Dallas’s culinary contributions include the frozen margarita machine.)
As we mentioned above, Dallas features a robust arts district, including various museums, performing arts centers, street art, and bars and lofts with live music. In particular, the Deep Ellum neighborhood in East Dallas has great significance in the history of jazz and blues in the south. Artists like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, and Bessie Smith all played in Deep Ellum clubs.
Dallas is also home to iconic modern and postmodern architecture, with its most famous buildings including I.M. Pei’s Fountain Place, the Renaissance Tower, Reunion Tower, and the Bank of America Plaza.
And, of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Texas State Fair, the largest fair in the U.S., which makes its home in Dallas.
Dallas’s culture is one that defies definition, and that’s what makes it so much fun. If you’re looking for a city with a strong personality, Dallas could be a good fit.
Dallas, TX Fun Facts
And, just for fun, here’s a few other things we find charming about our expansion to Dallas, Texas:
→ Home to Josey’s Records, the largest record shop in the country
→ Home to the largest contiguous urban Arts District
→ Birthplace of 7-Eleven
→ The first pro cheerleading squad got its start in Dallas
→ Over 11,000 restaurants in the city
Is it a good idea to relocate your career to Dallas, TX?
Ultimately, the choice to move to Dallas is yours. We can only say that we’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided that Dallas is the perfect place for us to expand our operations.
Whether you’re in Dallas now or looking to line up a job before you move, Concero is here to help match your professional skills with the perfect job.