Dallas TX vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 470,763 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.7 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 13.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 23.7% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 12.7% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $435,807 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 46.2 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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