Dallas TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Washington
13.3%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 672,079 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.9 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 13.3% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 39.1% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 11.6% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $580,173 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 41.1% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 24.0% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.8 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Dallas, TX vs New York, NYDallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dallas, TXDallas, TX vs Houston, TXDallas, TX vs Phoenix, AZDallas, TX vs Philadelphia, PA