Dallas TX vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 143,611 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 12.1% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 21.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 13.4% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $45,611 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $30,282 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 28.0% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 38.5% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 21.3% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 68.9°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 47.3 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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