Dallas TX vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 44,998 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 57.8 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.4% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 24.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.2% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $503,393 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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