Dallas TX vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Denver
13.9%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 713,734 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 13.9% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 23.7% | 8.8% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 27.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $541,899 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 25.9% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.4 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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