Cleveland OH vs Dallas TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Dallas
23.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 36.7% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Black | 46.8% | 23.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 37.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Dallas
$311,957
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $311,957 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 42.4% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Dallas
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Dallas
2339
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.8% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 22.7% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.4% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Dallas
40.6 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 65.9°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 40.6 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Dallas
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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