Dallas TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.1 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 14.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 36.1% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 15.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $60,698 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $37,669 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 22.0% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 34.6% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 48.5 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 34.5 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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 San Antonio, TX