Big cities are generally known for having a lot of people and places packed into the area, so it’s slightly easier to walk around. Both Dallas and Houston are big cities, that’s for sure, but which is more walkable?
In general, Dallas is more walkable than Houston. Houston is more spread out and is designed with more space for roads, while Dallas’s roadways are specifically oriented towards walkability.
Interested in why Dallas is more walkable than Houston? And what makes a city walkable? You’ve come to the right place! Stick around and keep reading for more.
What Is Considered Walkable?
To answer the question of which is more walkable- Dallas or Houston- we need to define what we mean by walkable. There are many definitions of walkability, but the most common is “the ease with which a person can walk from their home to various services and amenities.”
The easiest way to measure walkability is through the Walk Score®. The scale ranges from 0-to 100, with the higher values being more walkable. The lower values are less walkable. Walk Score®:
- Dallas: 94
- Houston: 47
- Austin: 42
Is Dallas the Most Walkable City in Texas?
Dallas scores a 94 on the Walk Score®. On our scale of walkability from 0-100, that’s pretty darn walkable!
Dallas is the most walkable city in Texas. In fact, it’s more walkable than Houston and Austin, which is the highest value of all cities in Texas. As the website proclaims, it is a “walker’s paradise.”
Why Is Dallas So Walkable?
Moving to Dallas? We hope you have a pair of solid walking shoes, because you’re going to be doing a lot of that!
Dallas has a lot to offer when it comes to recreation, culture, and entertainment. It has a large selection of restaurants and entertainment options within walking distance. The city also boasts attractive neighborhoods where residents can walk to grocery stores, restaurants, parks, and other amenities.
In addition, there are a wealth of recreational opportunities available nearby, such as museums and zoos. Dallas is also very bike-friendly, with several bike lanes throughout the city. A shorter commute means that you’ll have more time to enjoy all that this city offers!
As we mentioned earlier, Dallas was created to be walker-friendly. Establishments are closer together with sidewalks to connect places, while other cities are spread out with roads as the link in between.
What Makes Houston Not as Walkable?
Houston rates just 47 on the Walk Score®, which ranks it 60th nationwide out of 141 cities rated on the scale. Houston’s location on the Gulf of Mexico means that it receives a lot of rain each year. However, that rain is often very heavy in the summer months, which means many roads are flooded during those months.
Houston has a high level of pavement usage and a low amount of street trees. This makes walking more difficult than it would be in other cities because sidewalks are not as wide or well-maintained. While it is not the worst place in the nation to walk, it is among the least walkable in the entirety of the state.
Is it Safer to Walk Around Houston Than in Dallas?
Dallas has a slightly lower rate of crime rate than Houston. The Dallas region has a report of 10,071 violent crimes on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, which means it ranks just above the national average for all cities with populations over 100,000.
Houston reports 23,960 on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, which ranks it 1st in Texas and, on average, the highest amount of local violent crime in the state.
However, when you look at the actual crime rates in both cities, you’ll see that they are actually quite similar, with Dallas experiencing slightly lower rates of violent crimes (with a rate of 4 per 1,000 people) and Houston experiencing slightly higher rates of violent crimes (with a rate of 6 per 1,000 people).
Both cities are considered to be safe for families with school districts that rate above average and low levels of poverty. Both cities have moderately high levels of good jobs and low levels of unemployment.
Does Walkability Impact Affordability?
If you’re looking to live in a metropolitan area, both Dallas and Houston are considered to be relatively affordable. The median home value in both cities is around $215,000.
However, if you’re looking for a more affordable area to live in, then the suburbs of Dallas or Houston may be a better option. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home value in surrounding suburbs is significantly lower, with the lowest value being around $160,000 and the highest being around $230,000.
In general, if you can afford a higher-priced city, you can definitely find more affordable housing options outside of it. For example, It’s much cheaper to live in Arlington (Texas) than it is to live in downtown Dallas or downtown Houston.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a place to live that’s quite walkable. Then you may want to consider Dallas or Houston. If you’re looking for an area where you can easily get around by car, then consider the suburbs of these cities. Finally, if you’re looking for a place where you can easily get around by public transportation, then you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.
