Dallas TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 307,188 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 41.9% | 16.5% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 37.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $48,416 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $25,509 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 10.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 24.7% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 17.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $482,675 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 24.1% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Dallas +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.0% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.2% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 46.3 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 35.9 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Dallas, TX vs New York, NYDallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dallas, TXDallas, TX vs Houston, TXDallas, TX vs Phoenix, AZDallas, TX vs Philadelphia, PA