Dallas TX vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 543,348 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.6 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 13.7% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.0% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $54,546 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $31,152 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 18.8% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 30.2% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $324,946 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 69.8°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 450 in Tucson. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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