Dallas, Texas
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Dallas.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Dallas?
For relocators asking how much Dallas costs: the housing index sits at 101 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $295,300 and rents near $1,403. Local median income is about $67,760 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 27 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 862.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 101U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $295,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,403U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $67,760U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 27 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 862.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 96°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Dallas compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 1,326,087City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $67,760Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 101ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg (100)U.S. 100 - Median home value
- $295,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($303,400)U.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,403City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 27 min8% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 46Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 862.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)47% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3321.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)8% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 96°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 40°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 38.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 283As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Dallas grew 10.5% from 1,200,350 in 2010 to 1,326,087 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Dallas expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Dallas runs 1 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 101 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $295,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,403 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Dallas?
Budget first around $1,403/month rent or $295,300 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $295,300
- Median rent $1,403/month
- Median household income $67,760
What is the job market like in Dallas?
Labor-market context for Dallas: unemployment 4.7% and median income $67,760. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $67,760
How long is the typical commute in Dallas?
Plan on roughly 27 minutes each way in Dallas. Walk Score estimates around 46 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 27 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 46/100
Is Dallas safer than similar U.S. cities?
Dallas's FBI-derived violent rate (~862.9/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 862.9 per 100k
- Property 3321.3 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Dallas?
Dallas's climate profile: 96°F summer peaks, 40°F winter mornings, 38.3" annual rainfall, and 283 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 96°F
- Winter low 40°F
- 38.3 in rain · 283 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Dallas?
Downtown is the name relocators hear first; compare it with Uptown and Deep Ellum once you know your job location.
- Downtown
- Uptown
- Deep Ellum
What nearby city comparisons involve Dallas?
These curated pair pages put Dallas beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
Relocators eyeing Dallas, Texas will find roughly 1,326,087 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $67,760; our housing-derived cost index is about 101 (close to the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $1,403 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Hot summers, sprawling freeways, and no state income tax dominate comparisons. Roughly 283 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 27 minutes one-way, with walkability near 46/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~862.9 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Downtown draws the first wave of relocators; Uptown and Deep Ellum tend to show up once people trade vibe for school or parking tradeoffs. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Dallas with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Downtown
- Uptown
- Deep Ellum
- Bishop Arts
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Dallas city, 1600000US4819000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Dallas County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013960 DALLAS LOVE FLD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10