Houston vs Dallas: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Dallas is 5% more expensive than Houston. Dallas is 17% safer. Houston has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). Houston population: 2,397,315. Dallas population: 1,329,491.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living: Houston vs Dallas
Houston is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 100 vs 105 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 5 index points.
| Category | Houston | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Index | 100 | 105 |
| Housing | $2,100/moIndex: 118 | $2,314/moIndex: 130 |
| Groceries | $394/moIndex: 96 | $402/moIndex: 98 |
| Transportation | $357/moIndex: 102 | $357/moIndex: 102 |
| Healthcare | $320/moIndex: 100 | $320/moIndex: 100 |
| 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: Houston vs Dallas
Dallas is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 44.8 per 1,000 residents vs Houston's 54. Dallas earns a F safety grade compared to Houston's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Houston
Texas
Dallas
Texas
| Metric | Houston | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 54/1K | 44.8/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 900.0 | 680.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4500.0 | 3800.0 |
| Murder Rate | 14.7 | 9.6 |
| Assault Rate | 621.4 | 535.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 128.9 | 103.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 769.2 | 504.3 |
| Theft Rate | 3592.5 | 3024.2 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 781.0 | 916.4 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Houston, you have a 1 in 19 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 22 in Dallas.
Climate: Houston vs Dallas
Houston Climate Overview
Dallas Climate Overview
Monthly Temperature Comparison
| Metric | Houston | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual High | 80°F | 77.5°F |
| Avg Annual Low | 60.1°F | 56.9°F |
| Annual Rain | 47.9" | 37.9" |
| Annual Snow | None | 1.5" |
| Comfortable Months | 6 | 6 |
| Freezing Months | 0 | 0 |
Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Dallas is 6°F colder in winter than Houston. Dallas gets 2 inches of snow annually, while Houston rarely sees any. Houston is wetter with 48" of annual rain compared to 38".
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
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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