Dallas TX vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 161,993 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 41.9% | 21.8% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.4% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $28,813 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 15.5% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $751,711 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Salinas
12.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 22.4% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.8 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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