Dallas TX vs Fullerton 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%
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fullerton
141,278
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Fullerton
36.1
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Fullerton
2.1%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fullerton
39.6%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 141,278 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.1 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 28.9% | Fullerton + |
| White | 41.9% | 43.0% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.1% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 24.5% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 39.6% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Fullerton
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $104,219 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $48,061 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.2% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 43.6% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $1,047,700 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 51.5% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Fullerton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Fullerton
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, 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%
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 23.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 10.2% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fullerton
65.1°F
Fullerton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 65.1°F | Fullerton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 13.9 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Fullerton
32.5 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.5 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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