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Dallas vs El Paso: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Dallas is 19% more expensive than El Paso. El Paso is 48% safer. Dallas population: 1,329,491. El Paso population: 683,012.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingEl Paso
SafetyEl Paso
HousingEl Paso

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Dallas vs El Paso

El Paso is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 105 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 17 index points.

CategoryDallasEl Paso
Overall Index10588
Housing$2,314/moIndex: 130$1,460/moIndex: 82
Groceries$402/moIndex: 98$390/moIndex: 95
Transportation$357/moIndex: 102$343/moIndex: 98
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$304/moIndex: 95
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$220/moIndex: 100

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Dallas vs El Paso

El Paso is 48% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Dallas's 44.8. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade compared to Dallas's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

Dallas

Texas

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeD+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate44.8/1K
TrendImproving
C+

El Paso

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendImproving
MetricDallasEl Paso
Overall Crime Rate44.8/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate680.0440.3
Property Crime Rate3800.01883.3
Murder Rate9.68.5
Assault Rate535.6276.6
Robbery Rate103.857.5
Burglary Rate504.3299.3
Theft Rate3024.21393.6
Vehicle Theft Rate916.4173.6

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Dallas, you have a 1 in 22 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in El Paso.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Dallas. A full comparison requires both cities.

Dallas Climate Overview

Annual High77.5°F
Annual Low56.9°F
Annual Rain37.9"
Annual Snow1.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthOctober
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarmHot

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dallas cheaper than El Paso?
El Paso is 19% more affordable than Dallas, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 105 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,314/mo in Dallas vs $1,460/mo in El Paso.
Is Dallas safer than El Paso?
El Paso is 48% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Dallas's 44.8. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Dallas or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso is safer (C+ grade). El Paso is more affordable (index 88 vs 105). Dallas has a population of 1,329,491 and El Paso has 683,012. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Dallas compared to El Paso?
Dallas has a population of 1,329,491 and El Paso has 683,012. Dallas is 95% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Dallas or El Paso?
Housing is cheaper in El Paso. Estimated monthly housing costs: Dallas $2,314/mo vs El Paso $1,460/mo. That's based on a housing index of 130 vs 82 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
Dallas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
El Paso Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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