A Strategic South-Central Hub at the Center of U.S. Freight
Dallas-Fort Worth sits at the center of the U.S. freight network and offers a combination of reach, infrastructure, and cost that few markets can match. From Dallas, carriers can reach 96% of the U.S. population within two days, supported by a dense highway network (I-20, I-35, I-30, I-45) and world-class intermodal facilities including the BNSF Alliance terminal, which handles over one million containers annually. Texas has no state income tax, warehouse rents run roughly half the cost of coastal alternatives, and the labor pool grows faster than any other major U.S. metro.
| Factor | Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | Houston · Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Shipping% of US population reached by ground | 96% reachBroadest national reach of any south-central hub within 48 hours by ground. | 85-90%Houston is strong south and southeast but has gaps in the Mountain states and upper Midwest. KC covers 90% but is weaker into south Texas and the Gulf. |
| Intermodal InfrastructureRail, highway, and air freight | Best-in-classBNSF Alliance (1M+ containers/yr), Union Pacific terminal, DFW International (22 cargo airlines), and the I-20/I-35/I-30/I-45 quad-corridor. | SpecializedHouston is port-anchored and import-focused. KC is rail-strong but has limited air freight depth. |
| Labor MarketAvailability and wage rates | StrongestFastest-growing major U.S. metro 2015-2025. Deep, diverse logistics workforce across all skill levels. | TighterHouston's pool is energy and port-driven with rising port-adjacent wages. KC's smaller metro limits depth for large-scale ops. |
| Mexico Trade AccessCross-border freight advantage | PrimeI-35 connects directly to Laredo (the #1 U.S.-Mexico land port). Texas handles ~$650B in cross-border trade. | LimitedHouston serves Mexico-origin ocean freight. KC has CPKC rail to Mexico but is still developing vs. Texas road corridors. |
| Real Estate & ScalabilitySupply, vacancy, and room to grow | Abundant1.08B+ sf of industrial space with 9.3% vacancy in 2025. Tenants have leverage and room to expand. | ConstrainedHouston runs tight near port. KC has growing supply but less slack than DFW. |
| Tax EnvironmentState and business taxes | No state income taxBusiness-friendly regulation. Texas ranks top-5 nationally for corporate climate. | MixedHouston shares Texas's tax advantages but higher port-area costs offset some of them. Missouri and Kansas both levy state income tax. |