Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Fullerton, CA
🏆 Carrollton leads 14 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,380
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Fullerton
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,279 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
142,280 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Homes cost $464k less ($327,300 vs $791,000)
70% less violent crime than Fullerton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (3.7%)
Rent averages $434/mo less ($1,555 vs $1,989)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Fullerton
Cons
Median income trails Fullerton by $3,899/yr
Fullerton, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 56°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Households earn $3,899 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $791,000
Violent crime (455.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,989/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Carrollton
Violent Crime
70% lower
137.1 vs 455.3 per 100k
Carrollton
Median Home Value
$464k less
$327,300 vs $791,000
Carrollton
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 84.4°F
Fullerton
Median Income
$3,899
$99,279 vs $95,380/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fullerton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $791,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,989⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 | $99,279 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 30.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 110⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% | 44.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 89.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Fullerton Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 84.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 11.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 142,280 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 35.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Fullerton's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Carrollton is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 14 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 14 and Fullerton wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Fullerton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $791,000 median home), income ($95,380 vs $99,279), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Fullerton, CA are about 1,212 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.