Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
Federal Way, WA
🏆 Dallas leads 16 of 23 categories
Dallas
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,985
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
Federal Way
Washington
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dallas, TX
Pros
Homes cost $184k less ($270,700 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $355/mo less ($1,305 vs $1,660)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.0%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
More college-educated — 36.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Federal Way by $16,375/yr
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Federal Way, WA
Pros
17% less violent crime than Dallas
Households earn $16,375 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 97°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Dallas
Median Home Value
$184k less
$270,700 vs $454,300
Dallas
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.5% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
20.1°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 76.8°F
Federal Way
Median Income
$16,375
$80,360 vs $63,985/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
17% lower
545.4 vs 658.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Federal Way, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 ✓ Lower | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 ✓ Lower | $1,660⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 | $80,360 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 10.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 208⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% ✓ Higher | 30.6% |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | Federal Way School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 40.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 99,614 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 55.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Federal Way's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Dallas is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dallas leads 16 of 23 categories. Dallas wins 16 and Federal Way wins 7. 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 Federal Way or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $454,300 median home), income ($63,985 vs $80,360), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and Federal Way, WA are about 1,671 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.