To break this down, we analyzed ticket prices for five major genres — pop, hip-hop/R&B, country, rock/alternative and Latin — across 10 cities, from Los Angeles to Miami, by looking at pricing data from two major ticket platforms, uncovering the trends, disparities and insights that matter to fans and venues. This analysis delves into where Dallas stands in ticket pricing.
Cities by Population and Music by Significance
To evaluate ticket prices in Dallas, we first identified the major cities that rank closely to Dallas in terms of population and cultural significance within the music scene. These cities provide meaningful comparisons for understanding how Dallas stands as a hub for live music. We also looked at similarities in venue selections.Dallas holds its own as a music city, ranking fifth among these hubs in population size. The overall cities selected —Phoenix, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, Charlotte, Seattle, Nashville and Atlanta — underscore the blend between a big city and a tasteful music scene.
Ticketing Platforms and Music Genres: Shaping the Market
Now that the stage has been set, it’s time to dive into how the ticket prices came together. Between the platforms where tickets are purchased and the genres fans can’t get enough of, a lot of factors influence what concertgoers pay for a night out.First up, Ticketmaster. It’s the giant we love to grumble about, and for good reason — pricing. Yep, the ticket prices shift with demand, and concert junkies trying to see Tyler, the Creator or Tate McRae can expect to feel the pinch. Then there’s StubHub, the resale king. This is where tickets for sold-out shows end up, often with a hefty markup.
But it’s not just about platforms; it’s about genres, too.
When you look at those five key genres and which highly regarded artists in each currently will be touring in or near our chosen cities in 2025, we can get a better look at ticket pricing trends across markets and cities.
Breaking Down the Data: Methodology
The five genres per each ticketing platform total 10 points to analyze for the pricing range spectrum, with five prices each from Ticketmaster and StubHub.The lowest pricing, which is generally the most affordable option — think general admission or standard seating — is offered among the widest range of events: Prices reflect similar-volume artists at comparable venues, with some variation to accommodate city-specific availability. These low-priced "standard" tickets reflect costs most accessible to the average concertgoer on a standard search.
We focused on general affordability rather than high-end experiences. If you're someone who’s looking to splurge on VIP perks or premium seats, this ranking might not reflect your experience. But for the everyday concertgoer, it paints a pretty clear picture of what to expect.
The lowest ticket prices from each city and ticketing platform are included to illustrate how each city measures up in terms of pricing.
The Results
Dallas ranked lowest among those cities, with an average of $191.00, offering the highest ticket prices compared to the 10 major cities. Trailing Dallas were Miami, Los Angeles and Phoenix, which lean toward the high side of the pricing analysis. Charlotte and Atlanta provided the best deals while still maintaining some high-status artists. Floating in the middle ranks are Philly, Phoenix, Nashville and Seattle, offering better average prices overall against their competitors. Pop, Latin and hip-hop/R&B commanded higher prices, while country and rock provide more accessible options that appealed to a range of fan budgets.Finally, the platforms: Ticketmaster generally kept prices more grounded, reflecting primary sales directly from venues and artists. StubHub, on the other hand, often pushed prices higher with resale markups, making it a better fit for last-minute buyers or those seeking sold-out seats.
While ticket prices in Dallas may be high, the city remains a select destination for artists and concertgoers, thanks to a diverse cultural scene, big venues such as the American Airlines Center and its status as a rapidly growing city with a dedicated fan base.
As Live Nation’s 2024 report suggests, "higher ticket prices have not deterred fans from attending concerts." The report also indicates that ancillary spending per fan has shown robust growth and notes that spending on additional items like merchandise is also on the rise. This demonstrates that despite growing costs fans continue to value the live music experience.
As ticket sales remain in high demand, concert ticket prices continue to shape fans’ spending during live events.
"You have people saying, 'Damn, I just spent like $100 to $200 on this ticket, and you want to spend $150 on a jacket? Y'all don't have discounts?"' says Detavius McDaniel, a merchandise coordinator at major venues in Dallas and Austin. "[They’ll say], ‘We’ll have to just do something cheaper."'
At Rod Wave's Jan. 20 concert at American Airlines Center, McDaniel says, he observed how ticket costs sometimes influence merchandise purchases, with fans opting for smaller items to balance their budgets while still choosing to spend for the full experience.
Whether fans are budgeting for a night of Tyler, the Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA or attempting to show how their "hips don’t lie" with Shakira in 2025, Dallas offers a wide array of premium events at bang-for-your-buck prices that compete well against other major cities.
