Dallas TX vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Louisville
627,210
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 627,210 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.7 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 9.8% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 23.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 8.6% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $64,731 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $38,890 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 33.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 43.3 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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