Dallas TX vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 316,241 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 22.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 39.2% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 6.0% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $33,716 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 25.7% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $648,603 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 66.8°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 34.1 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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