Dallas TX vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 138,723 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 21.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 40.0% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $671,948 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Ontario
17.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 17.0% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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