Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California are two of the USA's most dynamic cities, each offering a mix of job opportunities, entertainment options and lifestyle choices. But they also differ significantly across various aspects such as cost of living, crime rates, employment opportunities, taxation, infrastructure, and culture. This comprehensive comparison between Dallas and San Jose will provide a detailed insight into what each city has to offer for those looking to relocate or those just curious to know.
Distance between
Dallas, TX and
San Jose, CA : 1,448.0 miles
Dallas's population is larger by 31%. Its population has grown by 99,877 people (8.4%) since 2000. The population of San Jose has grown by 88,546 people (9.9%) during that time.
In terms of safety, Dallas has a higher crime rate compared to the national average and also than San Jose. Visitors and residents alike are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to all local safety guidelines in Dallas. On the contrary, San Jose enjoys a relatively low crime rate, making it one of the safer major cities in the U.S.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 4,288 registered sex offenders living in Dallas and 1,847 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Dallas is 307 to 1; the ratio in San Jose is 555 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Dallas than in San Jose.
Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in San Jose is significantly higher than in Dallas. The major driver behind this disparity is housing costs, which are among the highest in the U.S in San Jose. In contrast, housing in Dallas is relatively affordable, thereby providing more accessible living conditions to a broader range of income groups.
Income Tax
Dallas, situated in Texas, benefits from the fact that Texas imposes no state income tax. On the other hand, California residents, including those in San Jose, are subject to one of the highest income tax rates in the U.S.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Dallas are quite high to compensate for the lack of state income tax, while San Jose's property tax rates are comparably lower but get balanced with California's high income tax.
Sales Tax
Texas, including Dallas, has no state income tax and instead relies on sales taxes, which are slightly higher than the national average. In contrast, California has one of the highest sales taxes in the nation, affecting the total cost of living in San Jose.
Income
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Estimated median household income
$57,995
$126,377
Estimated per capita income
$38,479
$57,357
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
127.4
If you make $50,000 in Dallas, you will have to make $66,285 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Dallas is located on the relatively flat plains of North Texas, with no significant natural bodies of water or mountains nearby. Conversely, San Jose lies in Silicon Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and close to the Pacific Ocean, lending it a more diverse geographical setting.
Both Dallas and San Jose take pride in their strong educational systems, featuring renowned institutions like Southern Methodist University in Dallas and San Jose State University. However, San Jose's proximity to other major academic hubs like Stanford and Berkeley are additional advantages.
Dallas boasts a diversified economy with a strong presence in sectors like defense, financial services, IT services, and telecommunications. In contrast, San Jose, positioned in the Silicon Valley, has a technology-driven economy with numerous high-tech companies and startups.
Biggest Employers
Dallas's robust job market includes major employers such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Tenet Healthcare. However, San Jose, situated within Silicon Valley, is home to several tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook.
There were 2,245 building permits issued in Dallas in 2012 (1436 more than in 2011) compared to 299 building permits issued in San Jose in 2012 (216 more than in 2011).
In Dallas (Dallas County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In San Jose (Santa Clara County), 70.0% voted for Democrats and 27.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
2020
65.1%
72.7%
33.4%
25.2%
1.4%
2.1%
2016
60.8%
72.7%
34.7%
20.6%
4.5%
6.7%
2012
57.3%
70.0%
41.8%
27.1%
1.0%
2.9%
2008
57.4%
69.6%
42.0%
28.6%
0.6%
1.8%
2004
49.0%
64.3%
50.4%
34.8%
0.5%
0.9%
2000
45.0%
60.7%
52.7%
34.4%
2.4%
4.9%
1996
46.0%
56.9%
46.8%
32.2%
7.2%
11.0%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.9%
25.1%
2.4%
6.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
11.0%
0.9%
31.1%
7.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.6%
1.1%
1.1%
1.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.5%
1.5%
2.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.4%
1.7%
2.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.3%
0.9%
2.3%
Weather
Dallas experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Occasional harsh weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms and hailstorms are also a concern. On the flip side, San Jose boasts a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, making it a city with pleasant weather all year round.
Weather and climate
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Temperature - Average
66.6°F
60.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.3%
77.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
35.5%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
51.6%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.3 in
16.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
27.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
73.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
77.4%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
54.4%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
10.3 mph
Average climate in Dallas, Texas
Average climate in San Jose, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Dallas
San Jose
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
Dallas
San Jose
2018
86
94
0.49
N/A
5.7
14.5
28.7
22.2
N/A
0.006
9.7
12.5
0.4
0.2
2017
84
91
0.50
N/A
5.5
14.6
28.6
23.5
N/A
0.004
9.1
10.2
0.3
0.2
2016
81
69
0.47
N/A
6.1
13.7
27.2
22.4
N/A
0.003
8.4
8.8
0.2
0.2
2015
85
84
0.52
N/A
6.5
15.4
26.7
22.3
N/A
0.004
8.9
9.2
0.3
0.3
2014
83
83
0.40
N/A
6.3
13.9
27.6
21.5
N/A
0.004
9.9
8.2
0.3
0.2
2013
97
90
0.41
N/A
7.3
15.2
28.8
20.8
N/A
0.005
13.0
12.4
0.2
0.3
2012
116
74
0.35
N/A
8.6
13.3
31.0
21.8
N/A
0.003
12.0
10.1
0.3
0.3
2011
98
83
0.37
N/A
9.4
14.8
30.9
20.6
N/A
0.003
11.9
12.3
0.6
0.3
2010
79
88
0.35
N/A
9.4
14.4
28.3
20.4
N/A
0.004
N/A
9.0
0.7
0.4
2009
88
89
0.40
N/A
9.2
14.7
28.8
18.2
N/A
0.004
N/A
9.3
0.5
0.3
2008
88
100
0.45
N/A
9.8
16.7
29.2
20.6
0.121
N/A
N/A
12.6
0.5
N/A
2007
94
92
0.44
N/A
11.0
16.6
25.7
20.0
0.070
0.009
N/A
11.1
0.3
N/A
2006
107
100
0.46
N/A
10.8
18.0
30.6
21.8
0.106
N/A
N/A
11.1
0.7
N/A
2005
108
95
0.68
N/A
13.0
18.6
29.7
20.0
0.142
N/A
11.0
11.6
0.9
N/A
2004
96
98
0.63
N/A
12.3
18.5
26.0
20.4
0.099
N/A
N/A
9.9
0.8
N/A
2003
102
87
0.73
N/A
13.6
20.6
27.1
19.1
0.121
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
N/A
2002
100
78
0.65
N/A
14.0
19.5
25.2
18.0
0.080
0.006
N/A
N/A
0.4
N/A
2001
100
75
0.61
N/A
14.3
18.5
26.0
16.8
0.069
0.008
N/A
N/A
1.0
N/A
2000
109
65
0.66
N/A
14.5
18.9
27.0
15.6
0.092
0.009
N/A
N/A
1.1
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
254.7%
9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
567%
7,785.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
19%
Transportation
San Jose offers robust public transportation options with extensive bus and rail networks, while Dallas relies more on cars for commuting. However, both cities are served by well-connected international airports and interstate highway systems.
Transport
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
2
553
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
56
13
Means of transportation to work
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Bicycle
0.3%
1%
Bus
1.4%
1.1%
Carpooled
10.9%
11.4%
Car alone
83.9%
80.5%
Motorcycle
0%
0.2%
Railroad
0.2%
0.2%
Subway
0.2%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
1.6%
3.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Average
31.5 min
29.2 min
Other means
26.5 min
27.9 min
Public transportation
46 min
48.5 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.8%
87.3%
In 2 person carpool
9%
8.9%
In 3 person carpool
2.6%
1.9%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
1.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.6%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Dallas' real estate market is much more affordable compared to San Jose, making home ownership more feasible for many families. In San Jose, the high cost makes home ownership challenging for many but also offers a more significant appreciation in property value.
Neighborhoods
Both Dallas and San Jose offer a range of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyle preferences. Dallas features historic, artsy, and suburban neighborhoods, while San Jose is known for its quiet family-friendly neighborhoods and vibrant downtown district.
Houses and residents
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Houses
591,773
340,561
Average household size (people)
2.6
3.1
Median year apartment built
1987
1979
Median year house/condo built
1969
1973
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13.9 years
15.6 years
Houses occupied
536,008 (90.6%)
322,881 (94.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
229,518 (42.8%)
179,797 (55.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
306,490 (57.2%)
143,084 (44.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,403
$3,214
Median monthly housing costs
$1,225
$2,463
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$574,934
$1,197,016
Estimated median house or condo value
$267,600
Over $1,000,000
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.6
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6
Median house price - detached houses
$410,272
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$255,160
$753,788
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$230,927
$680,453
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$444,589
$688,625
Median house price - mobile homes
$91,039
$240,963
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$350,045
$892,629
Median house price - All housing units
$402,215
Over $1,000,000
Median house age
40
45
Renting percentage
55.9%
41.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,727.6
1,947.6
House value disparities
41.3%
21.2%
Household income disparities
48.2%
38.3%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$103,798
$197,583
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$61,909
$103,711
Housing units without a mortgage
1,309 (1%)
2,632 (2.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,320 (2.6%)
13,499 (10.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,846 (99%)
124,224 (97.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.2%)
346 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,351 (4.2%)
16,249 (12.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
1.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.9%
0.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Dallas
San Jose
One, detached
41.8%
50.9%
One, attached
4.3%
11.5%
Two
1.5%
1.1%
3 or 4
4.9%
5.0%
5 to 9
7.9%
5.1%
10 to 19
12.1%
4.5%
20 to 49
8.1%
4.5%
50 or more
18.4%
14.2%
Mobile homes
1.0%
3.1%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
43,703
28,517
State government workers
17,325
10,222
Unpaid family workers
754
472
Industries and Occupations
Dallas is a major employment hub with principal industries being defense, financial services, and IT. Contrarily, San Jose is a global tech hub, with occupations mainly centered around tech, research, and development.
Dallas has a robust healthcare system with world-class hospitals like UT Southwestern Medical Center and Baylor University Medical Center. Similarly, San Jose boasts top medical facilities like Stanford Health Care and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Dallas
San Jose
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
From a development and infrastructure standpoint, both Dallas and San Jose are well developed, boasting sophisticated road systems, public utilities, and city services. However, San Jose, due to its location in Silicon Valley, boasts more sustainable and smart city infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Dallas
San Jose
Hospitals
74
20
TV stations
25
9
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
394
145
Bank institutions located here
80
25
Main business address for public companies
122
74
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
8
21
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Dallas
San Jose
1999
5,030
3,839
2000
3,390
2,577
2001
2,626
1,953
2002
2,657
1,908
2003
3,617
3,578
2004
5,460
5,489
2005
7,445
6,994
2006
7,397
6,324
2007
5,056
4,298
2008
2,200
2,419
2009
1,121
1,631
Culture and Food
Dallas offers a blend of Southern and Mexican influences in its food and cultural scenes, with a wealth of barbecue, Tex-Mex, and other cuisine options. In contrast, San Jose portrays a diverse culinary scene influenced by its Asian, Mexican, and other immigrant communities.
Sports Teams
Dallas and San Jose are homes to professional sports teams across major sports leagues. Dallas is home to the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), and Texas Rangers (MLB). San Jose, on the other hand, boasts the San Jose Sharks (NHL), and Earthquakes (MLS).
Dallas, TX
San Jose, CA
