Dallas TX vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.3 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 41.9% | 35.5% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 22.9% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $62,894 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $41,142 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 19.7% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 36.0% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 42.0% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, 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%
Dallas +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Dallas +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.0% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.9% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 24.0% | Dallas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.6% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 48.7 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 29.6 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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