Carrollton TX vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carrollton
132,741
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 24.8% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 50.4% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 5.7% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 29.6% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 11.1% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $1,006,261 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 47.6% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Carrollton +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Carrollton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
San Diego
16.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.5% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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