Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
Denver, CO
🏆 Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories
Dallas
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,985
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
Denver
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,853 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
261⚠ High
Population
710,800
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dallas, TX
Pros
Homes cost $270k less ($270,700 vs $540,400)
34% less violent crime than Denver
Rent averages $360/mo less ($1,305 vs $1,665)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 47°F
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Denver
Cons
Median income trails Denver by $21,868/yr
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Denver, CO
Pros
Households earn $21,868 more per year on average
More college-educated — 54.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 97°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $540,400
Violent crime (993.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,665/mo
Property crime (4761.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Dallas
Violent Crime
34% lower
658.2 vs 993.0 per 100k
Dallas
Median Home Value
$270k less
$270,700 vs $540,400
Dallas
Summer Heat
6.7°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 90.2°F
Denver
Median Income
$21,868
$85,853 vs $63,985/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 ✓ Lower | $540,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 ✓ Lower | $1,665⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 | $85,853 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% | 20.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 247⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 261⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 227⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% | 54.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 90.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer | 46.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 90.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 15.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" ✓ Less | 49.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 710,800 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 49.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 12.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Denver's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Dallas is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories. Dallas wins 12 and Denver wins 11. 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 Dallas to Denver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $540,400 median home), income ($63,985 vs $85,853), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and Denver, CO are about 660 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.