Dallas TX vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fresno
543,615
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Fresno
18.9%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 543,615 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 18.9% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 38.0% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 6.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Fresno
$66,804
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $66,804 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $31,012 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.6% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 20.9% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 24.9% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $391,442 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, 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%
Dallas +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.5% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.7% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.1% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.8% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 64.2°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
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 Fresno. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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