Look, I get it. When you think “corporate America,” Dallas-Fort Worth probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. You’re thinking New York. San Francisco. Maybe Chicago.
But here’s what’s actually happening: 21 Fortune 500 companies now call this region home. And honestly? That’s just the beginning.
“We’re seeing something we’ve never seen before,” says Jim Hickey, President Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, a Dallas-Fort Worth executive search firm. “Energy executives, in particular—they’re not just visiting. They’re moving their families here. And once you talk to them about why, it starts to make perfect sense.”
The Numbers (Because They’re Kind of Crazy)
Between 2018 and 2024, Dallas-Fort Worth attracted 100 new corporate headquarters. That’s more than any other metro area in the entire country.
Let that sink in for a second.
And the job market? In May 2025 alone, the region added 46,800 new jobs. The unemployment rate sits at 3.8%. Translation: if you’re talented and you want to work here, you’re probably going to find something good.
“The talent war is real,” Hickey tells me. “And Dallas-Fort Worth? It’s winning. Companies aren’t just moving their headquarters on paper—they’re bringing their best people. And then they’re shocked by how many great candidates we already have here.”
Energy Executives Are Paying Attention
Okay, so Houston’s always been the energy capital of Texas. We all know that. But here’s the thing—Dallas-Fort Worth has quietly built its own powerful position in the energy sector. Traditional energy. Renewables. All of it.
Think about it this way: you’re running a global energy company. You need to get to markets across North America. You need direct flights to energy capitals worldwide. DFW International Airport? It’s right there, connecting you to everywhere that matters.
“Energy executives tell me they’re looking at the complete package,” Hickey explains. “Yeah, the business climate matters. But they’re also asking: where do I want my kids to go to school? Where can my family actually thrive? What does my career look like in five years?”
Dallas-Fort Worth delivers on all of it.
Let’s Talk Money (Because It Actually Matters)
Here’s where things get really interesting.
Dallas-Fort Worth’s cost of living runs about 3% lower than the national average. Meanwhile, San Francisco? Try 114% higher. I mean… come on.
And Texas has no state income tax. None. If you’re a C-suite executive moving from California or New York, you’re saving tens of thousands of dollars every single year. Just like that.
But wait, it gets better. The average home price in Dallas hovers around $390,000. In San Francisco? Over a million. For that kind of money here, you’re not getting a starter home—you’re getting something your family will actually love living in.
Honestly, when you add it all up—housing, dining, schools, daily expenses—the lifestyle upgrade is pretty dramatic. Executives tell me they feel like they’re finally able to breathe financially, even while earning the same (or more) than they did on the coasts.
The Talent Pool Runs Deep
You know what surprises executives the most when they relocate here? The caliber of talent that’s already in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The region’s tech workforce jumped from 180,000 in 2021 to over 227,000 in 2024. That’s a 26% increase—second-best in the country. And we’re not just talking warm bodies. We’re talking serious, experienced professionals who chose to be here.
“They expect to find decent candidates,” Hickey says. “But they’re consistently blown away by the depth and diversity. I’m placing Fortune 100 executives who are actively seeking opportunities here. That tells you something.”
And look, the universities are doing their part too. SMU and UT Dallas are churning out thousands of business, engineering, and tech graduates every year. These schools aren’t just teaching theory—they’ve built real partnerships with the companies that are actually hiring. It’s a pretty seamless pipeline.
But What About Actually Living Here?
Because that’s what really matters, right?
Dallas-Fort Worth has world-class museums, incredible restaurants (seriously, the food scene here rivals anywhere), professional sports teams, performing arts… all the cultural stuff you’d expect from a major city. And the weather? You can be outside pretty much year-round. That’s not nothing when you’re coming from places where winter means hibernating for four months.
For executives with kids, this is huge: the schools are genuinely excellent. Places like Plano, Frisco, Southlake—they consistently rank among the best communities in America for raising families. Great schools, safe neighborhoods, tons of activities for kids. It’s the stuff that keeps executives awake at night when they’re considering a big move, and here it’s… kind of a non-issue.
Oh, and weekly earnings here average $1,483, which is about 6.4% above the national average. So you’re earning more and spending less. That’s just math working in your favor.
What Happens Next?
Here’s the thing about momentum—it feeds itself.
“We’re at this really interesting moment,” Hickey tells me. “Every company that moves here makes the region more attractive for the next one. You’ve got this established network of Fortune 500 companies, professional services, executive talent… each new arrival just makes the whole ecosystem stronger.”
And the infrastructure’s keeping pace. Major investments in transportation, commercial real estate, civic amenities—the region’s building for the future it knows is coming.
For energy executives thinking about their next move, Dallas-Fort Worth offers something pretty rare: you get the professional opportunities and resources of a major business center, but without sacrificing quality of life or bleeding money on basic living expenses. That combination is… well, it’s kind of hard to beat.
Maybe that’s why the corporate relocations keep coming. Maybe that’s why executives who visit for a week end up calling their spouses to talk about making the move permanent.
The value proposition is pretty straightforward: thriving economy, deep talent pool, your money goes further, and you actually enjoy living here. Not a bad package, when you think about it.
And honestly? This feels like just the beginning.
