Dallas TX vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 308,160 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.9 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 41.9% | 38.7% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.0% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 11.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $1,566,872 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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