Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Dallas leads 13 of 23 categories
Dallas
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,985
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dallas, TX
Pros
Homes cost $308k less ($270,700 vs $578,900)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 36.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
12% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Rent averages $95/mo less ($1,305 vs $1,400)
Cons
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
Median income trails South Gate by $3,203/yr
South Gate, CA
Pros
20% less violent crime than Dallas
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 97°F
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 58°F
Households earn $3,203 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Dallas
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Dallas
Median Home Value
$308k less
$270,700 vs $578,900
Dallas
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.9% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
14.9°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 82.0°F
South Gate
Median Income
$3,203
$67,188 vs $63,985/yr
South Gate
Violent Crime
20% lower
525.6 vs 658.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 | $67,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 44.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas's cost of living index is 103.3 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Dallas is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dallas leads 13 of 23 categories. Dallas wins 13 and South Gate wins 10. 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 South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $578,900 median home), income ($63,985 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and South Gate, CA are about 1,237 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.