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Dallas-Fort Worth warms up as the 4th best winter vacation spot in U.S.

Here's a holiday planning argument for the family group chat.

Somewhere between the arctic blast that recently chilled the state and the triple digit temperatures of the last few months, Dallas-Fort Worth emerged as one of the top destinations for winter vacationers looking for a warm place to spend their holidays.

A new report by WalletHub for 2023 called Best Winter Holiday Destinations divided 70 of the biggest U.S. metropolitan areas into two categories: the top "warm" and "cold" weather destinations. The study evaluated every metro based on 37 factors, including travel costs, local costs, weather predictions, and safety.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 4 with a score of 63.69 points (out of a possible 100), just behind Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown (No. 3), San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California (No. 2) and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada (No. 1).

Dallas maintained its position in the top five for the third consecutive year.

For the purpose of the study, "cold" weather was determined to be less than or equal to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, while "warm" weather was greater than or equal to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Both guidelines were analyzed based on the 50-year average December temperatures.

The report found that the Metroplex had the fourth-lowest travel cost and hassles, much of which can be owed to the busy (but highly efficient) Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Luckily for Texans, the cheerful holiday season begins in November. There's plenty of time to make those festive weekend plans, from ice rinks to cowboy Santa appearances throughout the Hill Country and the rest of the state.

As expected, most of the best warm weather destinations in the report fall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The highest concentration of warm weather places is in the Sunshine State of Florida (10 metros), followed closely behind by Texas (nine metros), then California (eight metros).

However, Texas cities dominated the top 10. Right behind Austin and Dallas is San Antonio-New Braunfels (No. 5), and Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land (No. 8).

According to Linchi Kwok, a professor of hospitality management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, winter holiday travel around the country is going to be impacted by the current economy. That could make other Texas destinations like San Antonio, Austin, or Houston more enticing for Dallas-Fort Worth residents.

"While Americans still want to travel this winter, they may pick a destination closer to home and find ways to stretch the dollar," Kwok said.

Oddly enough, if Dallasites would like to get away and enjoy some cold weather, the report recommends Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia (No. 1). Not exactly the picture of a winter wonderland. Chicago, at No. 3, is the highest ranked cold destination in the Northern states.

The top 10 best warm weather winter vacation destinations are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada
No. 2 – San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California
No. 3 – Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
No. 4 – Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
No. 5 – San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
No. 6 – Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina
No. 7 – San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California
No. 8 – Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas
No. 9 – Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona
No. 10 – Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California

The full report and its methodology can be found on wallethub.com.

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Money news

Dallas ranks as No. 1 city with smallest inflation problem in U.S.

Photo by Erin Hervey on Unsplash

Dallas' inflation has cooled off after it was last saddled with the highest inflation rate nationally in January 2024.

Inflation has been one of the biggest hot-button issues in the country in 2025, but a new study says inflation not impacting Dallas nearly as much as it is other U.S. cities.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked as the metro with the smallest inflation problem in the U.S. in WalletHub's new report, "Changes in Inflation by City."

The report analyzed the impact of inflation across 23 major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using Consumer Price Index data from the latest month available and compared to data from two months prior. The analysis also factored in inflation data from last year to better track both short- and long-term inflation changes.

Dallas saw only a 0.10 percent increase in its local inflation rate when compared to two months prior, and the rate is only 0.60 percent higher than it was this time last year.

Dallas residents may be feeling the sting a lot less than they did in January 2024, when WalletHub said the city had the No. 1 highest inflation rate in the U.S. In April 2023, Dallas-Fort Worth had the 10th highest inflation rate nationwide.

The study found Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire is the MSA that is currently being rattled by the highest inflation rate in the nation. The northeastern metro saw a 1.10 percent uptick in inflation when compared to two months ago, and it's 3 percent higher than it was a year ago.

Inflation has continued to fluctuate throughout the year in different areas, but WalletHub said the national inflation rate has significantly lowered since it last hit a 40-year high during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The year-over-year inflation rate sits at 2.4 percent as of May 2025, which is still above the target rate of 2 percent," the report said. "Various factors, such as the war in Ukraine, labor shortages and recent tariffs, drive this higher than average inflation. Despite the country not meeting its target yet, the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates at the level set in December 2024."

Elsewhere in Texas, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land experienced the 13th highest inflation rate in the U.S., the report found. Inflation in the region increased 0.90 percent over the last two months, and it is currently 1.2 percent higher than it was one year ago.

The top 10 metros where inflation has risen the most are:

No. 1 – Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire
No. 2 – St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois
No. 3 – Baltimore-Columbia-Townson, Maryland
No. 4 – San Diego-Carlsbad, California
No. 5 – Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado
No. 6 – Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
No. 7 – Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
No. 8 – Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin
No. 9 – Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California
No. 10 – New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania

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