Show Me the Money

Here's how much money millennials make in Dallas-Fort Worth — and how far it goes

The millennial salary in Texas goes further than anywhere else in the U.S.

Photo courtesy of AmCap

Texans work hard for our money, but how far does it go? A report exploring the power of millennial money says that Texans, including those in Fort Worth, fare better than most young Americans.

For the report, financial firm JLL combed through 2016 data on the average salary for 25- to 34-year-olds in the top 50 U.S. metros. Then, they adjusted income for cost of living and compared it to the average U.S. income ($67,900) to see how far millennial money goes in 21 select markets.

Austin leads the list with the most buying power, followed by San Antonio (No. 2), Houston (No. 4), and Dallas-Fort Worth (No. 7). The takeaway? While metros like Washington and San Francisco boast the highest salaries, salaries in Texas have more value.

"In Texas, the average income of a millennial will feel $1,000 to $7,300 higher than the U.S. average — which gives them more potential dollars available for spending, meaning the value of their money goes further," explains the report.

The salary for a millennial in Austin, says JLL, is $72,442, but it spends like $75,225. That's $7,325 above the U.S. average. On the flip side, a $100,000 salary in the Bay Area feels more like $54,000.

When adjusted for cost of living, aSan Antonio salary of$63,902 is worth $74,827, and a Houston salary of $72,749 is worth $73,188. In DFW, a salary of $70,266 spends like $68,686, but it's still $1,000 higher than the national average.

The impressive buying power across Texas metros is attributed to our low cost of living, thriving local economies, and lack of state income tax.

"Major Texas markets can be viewed as prospective catalysts, or 'money magnets,' for the working millennial — where diverse job opportunities are growing, career advancement is high, and above average spending power puts you ahead of the your peers in other markets," notes JLL.

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Police News

Fort Worth police officer fired for unjustified use of force

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A Fort Worth police officer has been terminated following his involvement in a use of force incident. According to a release, Officer Matthew Krueger was let go on December 18, following an investigation into an incident involving someone who was videotaping his actions while he was on duty.

On Sunday, June 23, Fort Worth police officers responded to a hit-and-run collision near 1000 Foch St. The incident involved a suspected intoxicated driver who crashed into another vehicle and a structure before fleeing the scene on foot.

While officers were investigating, a woman approached them and used her cell phone to record their actions. Krueger asked and advised her multiple times to move across the street. When she failed to comply, she was placed under arrest.

During the arrest, Krueger used force to take the woman into custody, resulting in injuries that required medical care at an area hospital.

After being treated, the woman was released from the hospital, booked into jail, and charged with interference with public duties, resisting arrest and/or detention, evading arrest, and making a false alarm or report.

Krueger had been with the department for just under eight years and was assigned to the Patrol Bureau at the time of the incident.

The Fort Worth Police Major Case and Internal Affairs Units began immediate and congruent investigations. Krueger was transferred from Patrol to a unit with no public interaction, pending the outcome of the investigation.

After a review of the Internal Affairs investigation, Krueger’s chain of command determined that the level of force used was unjustified and violated departmental policy. Police Chief Neil Noakes concurred and terminated Krueger’s employment.

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