People moving to North Texas often ask whether they should live in Dallas or Fort Worth. The two cities share an airport and a metro area, but they feel different. Here is how I'd compare them.
The Overall Feel
Dallas is the larger, faster-paced city, with a big corporate presence, a dense Uptown and a wide variety of urban neighborhoods. Fort Worth is known for a more relaxed pace, Western heritage and a strong arts scene, with a downtown and Cultural District that feel manageable and easy to get around.
Neither is better. It depends on what you want your weekends and weekdays to look like.
Neighborhoods and Home Styles
| Fort Worth | Dallas | |
|---|---|---|
| Historic character | Fairmount, Arlington Heights, Ryan Place, Mistletoe Heights | Lakewood, the M Streets, Kessler Park, Munger Place |
| Urban living | Near Southside, West 7th, downtown | Uptown, Downtown, Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts |
| Newer construction | North Fort Worth, Alliance, the far west side | Limited in the core; more in northern suburbs |
| Popular nearby suburbs | Keller, Southlake, Aledo, Benbrook, Burleson | Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Garland, Rockwall |
Explore more in my Fort Worth and Dallas area guides.
Getting Around
Dallas has the DART light rail network, which connects downtown to many neighborhoods and suburbs. Fort Worth has TEXRail to DFW Airport and the Trinity Railway Express, which links the two downtowns. In practice, most people in both cities drive, so your daily route matters more than the city name.
If one partner works in Dallas and the other in Fort Worth, look at the middle: Arlington, Grand Prairie, Euless, Bedford, and the cities near DFW Airport like Southlake and Grapevine.
Property Taxes and Schools
Both cities are served by multiple school districts, and tax rates depend on the city, county and school district for each address. Don't assume a whole city shares one district. Read my Texas property tax guide for how bills are calculated.
How to Decide
- Map your commute at rush hour from each area you're considering.
- Spend a Saturday in each neighborhood: get coffee, walk around, visit a park.
- Decide whether you want an older home with character or newer construction with modern systems.
- Compare total monthly costs, including taxes and insurance.
If you're relocating, I'm happy to put together a short tour of a few areas so you can compare in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart are Dallas and Fort Worth?
Downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth are roughly 30 miles apart. Depending on traffic, the drive on I-30 can take anywhere from 35 minutes to over an hour.
Is Fort Worth or Dallas better for families?
Both have strong family neighborhoods and suburbs. The right choice usually depends on where you work, which school districts you prefer and whether you want an older neighborhood or newer construction.