Dallas TX vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 107,066 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.1 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 41.9% | 13.7% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 0.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Escondido
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Escondido
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $64,484 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $24,356 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 14.7% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $849,335 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 40.1% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Escondido
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.0% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 14.1% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 31.6 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 503 in Escondido. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Dallas, TX vs New York, NYDallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dallas, TXDallas, TX vs Houston, TXDallas, TX vs Phoenix, AZDallas, TX vs Philadelphia, PA