Dallas TX vs Fort Worth TX — 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fort Worth
941,311
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Fort Worth
33.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Fort Worth
17.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Fort Worth
19.5%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 941,311 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 17.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 47.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 23.7% | 19.5% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 34.6% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Fort Worth
$37,157
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Fort Worth
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Fort Worth
31.7%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $37,157 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 31.7% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Fort Worth
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Fort Worth
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Fort Worth
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Fort Worth
13.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 20.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.8% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 65.8°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 37.8 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 29.0 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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