Dallas TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 393,389 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.6 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 19.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 23.7% | 21.3% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 26.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $376,530 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.5% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 73.4°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 46.3 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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