Dallas TX vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 183,032 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 42.9 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 41.9% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 23.7% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 20.1% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $510,297 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 75.5°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 66.5 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.5 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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