Dallas TX vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Portland
12.4%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 642,715 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.6 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 12.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.8% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 11.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $538,687 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.7% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 78.3 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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