Dallas, September 30, 2025
News Summary
Dallas receives international recognition for its meal affordability, topping the rankings for the least monthly income spent on mid-range dining. Residents spend only 0.7% of their wages on a three-course meal costing around $35. Meanwhile, the State Fair of Texas launches with innovative offerings, including the first vegan booth by Vegan Vibrations, alongside cultural highlights such as the 100th anniversary of the State Fair Classic football game and a performance by TLC.
Dallas — A new international cost study and the opening weekend of the State Fair of Texas put Dallas in the spotlight this week for both food affordability and fairground innovation. The city was ranked as the top city in the world where residents spend the least of their monthly take-home pay on mid-range meals, and the State Fair opened with a first-ever vegan booth and major cultural events.
Key facts and lead details
The city of Dallas is ranked as the top city in the world where residents spend the least of their monthly take-home pay on mid-range meals, according to a study from Chef’s Pencil. The study reports that the average Dallas resident spends only 0.7% of their monthly wages on a three-course meal, which costs approximately $35 per person. The average monthly wage in Dallas is reported to be $4,686. The study did not account for tips, which are typically higher in the U.S., and that omission may affect the affordability ratio.
State Fair highlights
The State Fair of Texas runs from September 26 to October 19, 2025. Opening weekend included notable cultural elements: the 100th anniversary of the State Fair Classic football game and a live performance from TLC celebrating 30 years of their album CrazySexyCool, with crowd favorites performed during the main-stage events. The fair also debuted a first-ever vegan booth operated by twin brothers Jovan and Josh Cole, founders of Vegan Vibrations. The booth presented a menu designed to broaden perceptions of vegan food, featuring items such as vegan crunch wraps, burgers, and nachos. The Cole brothers brought the booth as a step toward increasing vegan options among fair vendors in future seasons.
Supporting details from the study and fair
Other U.S. cities appear in the affordability ranking: Denver (0.8%) and Houston (0.9%). When the study adjusted for tipping, an international comparison placed Muscat, Oman, ranks first overall for meal affordability when adjusting for tipping, with a meal costing 0.08% of the average salary. The report also examined beverage costs: Dallas ranks 40th for affordable coffee, with a cappuccino costing an average of $5.60, and regarding beer, Dallas has a 1.5% affordability index, ranking 31st globally. The study noted that coffee prices are rising globally due to extreme weather, a factor affecting affordability across many cities.
Why these findings matter
The affordability ranking combines local meal costs and average wages to give a sense of how far a typical paycheck goes at restaurants. The omission of tips from the calculation is relevant for U.S. comparisons because tipping practices can add a substantial amount to the out-of-pocket cost of dining. For the State Fair, the addition of a vegan booth reflects broader changes in vendor offerings and menu diversity, while live musical acts and milestone sporting events continue to draw large crowds and shape the atmosphere during the fair run.
Background and context
Chef’s Pencil produced an international comparison of mid-range meal affordability, with the dataset including average meal prices, monthly wages, and beverage costs. The State Fair of Texas, staged annually, combines food vendors, cultural programming, musical performances, and sporting events; the 2025 season expanded its food lineup with the first dedicated vegan booth by Vegan Vibrations. The fair’s run from late September through mid-October traditionally includes large opening-weekend attendance and special events, a pattern repeated this year with the anniversary football game and headline musical performance.
FAQ
How did Dallas rank for dining affordability?
The city of Dallas is ranked as the top city in the world where residents spend the least of their monthly take-home pay on mid-range meals, according to a study from Chef’s Pencil.
How much do Dallas residents spend on a three-course meal?
The average Dallas resident spends only 0.7% of their monthly wages on a three-course meal, which costs approximately $35 per person.
What is the average monthly wage used in the study for Dallas?
The average monthly wage in Dallas is reported to be $4,686.
Did the study account for tipping?
The study did not account for tips, which are typically higher in the U.S., which may impact the affordability ratio.
How did other cities compare in the ranking?
Other cities noted in the affordability ranking include Denver (0.8%) and Houston (0.9%).
Which city ranked first overall when adjusting for tipping?
Muscat, Oman, ranks first overall for meal affordability when adjusting for tipping, with a meal costing 0.08% of the average salary.
What did the report say about coffee and beer prices in Dallas?
Dallas ranks 40th for affordable coffee, with a cappuccino costing an average of $5.60. Regarding beer, Dallas has a 1.5% affordability index, ranking 31st globally. The report also highlighted coffee prices, which are rising globally due to extreme weather.
When does the State Fair of Texas run?
The State Fair of Texas runs from September 26 to October 19, 2025.
Who opened the new vegan booth at the State Fair?
The fair features a first-ever vegan booth by twin brothers Jovan and Josh Cole, founders of Vegan Vibrations.
What menu items are offered at the vegan booth?
The brothers offer a menu that includes vegan crunch wraps, burgers, and nachos.
What cultural events marked the fair’s opening weekend?
The fair’s opening weekend included significant cultural events, such as the 100th anniversary of the State Fair Classic football game. TLC performed live as part of opening events, celebrating 30 years of their influential album CrazySexyCool.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ranking for mid-range meal affordability | Top city in the world (Chef’s Pencil) |
| Average share of monthly wages spent on three-course meal | 0.7% — Average meal cost: $35 per person |
| Average monthly wage in Dallas | $4,686 |
| Other U.S. city comparisons | Denver (0.8%), Houston (0.9%) |
| Adjusted-for-tipping leader | Muscat, Oman — meal 0.08% of average salary |
| Coffee affordability (cappuccino) | Rank 40th — $5.60 |
| Beer affordability | 1.5% index — Rank 31st |
| State Fair of Texas dates | September 26 to October 19, 2025 |
| Vegan booth operators | Jovan and Josh Cole — Vegan Vibrations; menu includes vegan crunch wraps, burgers, and nachos |
| Opening weekend highlights | 100th anniversary State Fair Classic football game; TLC performance celebrating 30 years of CrazySexyCool |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Salad and Go Closes 41 Locations Across the U.S.
Arlington Responds to Worsening Food Insecurity Crisis
The Statler Celebrates National Prosecco Day in Dallas
Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Vegan Food Vendor Makes State Fair of Texas History
- Dallas News: State Fair 2025 Best Food & Drink Deals
- CBS News: Vegan Food Makes History at State Fair of Texas
- D Magazine: Cooper Flagg’s First State Fair Visit
- WFAA: Coffee Art at the State Fair of Texas
- Wikipedia: State Fair of Texas
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
