Dallas TX vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Detroit
636,644
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 636,644 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.1 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 5.9% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 11.7% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 8.0% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $39,575 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $24,029 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 14.1% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 31.5% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 17.6% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 45.6% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 19.2% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 22.6% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 21.8% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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