CountyScore

Dallas County

Texas · TX

#252 in Texas
49.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Dallas County, Texas

Dallas scores above national median

With a composite score of 54.1, Dallas County outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. This strong showing reflects a county that offers residents above-average livability across measurable dimensions.

Below Texas average but growing metro

Dallas County's 54.1 score trails the Texas state average of 66.8, ranking it in the lower half of Texas counties. However, as home to the nation's 9th largest metro area, Dallas balances economic opportunity with livability challenges common to major urban centers.

Affordability and reasonable taxes shine

Dallas County's cost score of 59.0 reflects relatively affordable housing, with a median home value of $277,900 and median rent of $1,469/month. The effective tax rate of 1.68% ranks favorably for a major metropolitan county.

Income growth lags peer counties

At 31.8, Dallas County's income score is notably low, despite a median household income of $74,149—suggesting high cost of living relative to earning potential. Several key livability dimensions including safety, health, schools, and water quality lack current data, limiting a complete assessment.

For urban professionals balancing trade-offs

Dallas County suits career-focused individuals and families seeking major-metro job markets and reasonable housing costs, but who can navigate dense urban complexity. Those prioritizing high incomes, excellent schools, or small-town safety may find stronger fits in other Texas counties.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax55Cost59SafetyComing SoonHealth54.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk0.4WaterComing Soon
🏛55
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Dallas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Harris County
Texas
49.8
Median income: $73,104
Burlington County
New Jersey
49.9
Median income: $105,271
El Paso County
Texas
49.9
Median income: $58,859
Kendall County
Illinois
49.6
Median income: $110,474
Nassau County
New York
50.1
Median income: $143,408

Deep Dives

Dallas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dallas County

via TaxByCounty

Dallas taxes run 73% above national average

At 1.68%, Dallas County's effective tax rate significantly outpaces the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The typical Dallas homeowner pays $4,668 annually—74% more than the national median of $2,690—despite homes being similarly valued.

Highest-taxing county in Texas

Dallas County ranks first among all 254 Texas counties by effective tax rate at 1.68%, well above the state average of 1.28%. Homeowners here pay $4,668 in median property taxes versus just $2,193 statewide.

Suburbs split: Denton charges more

Neighboring Denton County at 1.72% effective rate is slightly higher, while smaller surrounding counties like Delta (0.98%) and DeWitt (0.86%) tax property owners at roughly half Dallas's rate. This variation reflects different local school funding needs and municipal priorities across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Median home costs $4,668 yearly

A home worth $277,900—Dallas County's median—generates $4,668 in annual property taxes at the 1.68% rate. With mortgage interest deduction considerations, the total tax bill climbs to $5,448 when combined with typical county assessments.

Many Dallas homeowners are overassessed

Studies show that homeowners in high-tax urban counties like Dallas are overassessed at higher rates than their rural counterparts. If your home's assessed value seems inflated, filing a formal property tax appeal with the Dallas Central Appraisal District could reduce your annual bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dallas County

via CostByCounty

Dallas rents climb above national norms

Dallas County renters spend 23.8% of their income on rent, outpacing the nation's typical burden by roughly 6 percentage points. With a median household income of $74,149—nearly matching the national median of $74,755—residents here face steeper housing costs than most Americans.

Texas's affordability challenge

Dallas County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.8% ranks as one of Texas's least affordable, significantly above the state average of 18.1%. The county's median rent of $1,469 per month far exceeds Texas's state median of $963, reflecting Dallas's status as a major job center.

Dallas vs. the DFW corridor

Dallas County residents pay roughly 50% more in monthly rent ($1,469) than those in neighboring Denton and Collin County areas when considering the broader metro landscape. However, Denton County—the region's wealthiest county with a $108,185 median income—stretches affordability further despite even higher rents of $1,642.

Where Dallas incomes go

The typical Dallas household spends $1,469 on rent or $1,475 on mortgage costs, consuming nearly a quarter of the $74,149 median income. Homeownership and renting demand roughly equal monthly payments here, making Dallas competitive in choice but expensive in absolute dollars.

Considering Dallas? Budget wisely

If you're relocating to Dallas, expect to allocate nearly 24% of your income to housing—higher than most U.S. metros. Compare this ratio to smaller Texas counties where affordability runs 3-7 percentage points lower, or weigh Dallas's job market premium against rural alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dallas County

via IncomeByCounty

Dallas barely trails the nation

Dallas County's median household income of $74,149 sits just 0.8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it squarely in the middle of American prosperity. This near-parity masks significant internal diversity—the county includes both wealthy suburbs and working-class neighborhoods.

Outearning most Texas counties

At $74,149, Dallas County earns 14.4% more than the Texas state average of $64,737, ranking it in the upper tier of Texas counties. The county's $41,272 per capita income also exceeds the state average of $33,197 by 24.3%.

Dallas leads its regional peers

Dallas County significantly outpaces neighboring counties like Denton ($108,185, which leads the region), but substantially exceeds rural neighbors like Kaufman and Ellis. Its income advantage reflects the urban concentration of corporate headquarters, healthcare, and professional services across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Rent consumes nearly a quarter

With a rent-to-income ratio of 23.8%, Dallas County households spend nearly a quarter of their income on housing, slightly above the healthy 20% threshold. A median home value of $277,900 remains accessible to dual-income households earning the county median, though single-earner families face affordability pressures.

Build wealth beyond the paycheck

Dallas County's above-average income provides a foundation for building long-term wealth through homeownership, retirement savings, and diversified investments. Starting an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses and maximizing retirement contributions early can compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dallas County

via HealthByCounty

Dallas lives longer than most Americans

At 76.7 years, Dallas County residents live 2.4 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.3 years—a meaningful edge in life expectancy. Yet one in five residents report poor or fair health, suggesting that years gained don't guarantee healthy years lived.

Outpacing Texas on both counts

Dallas County's 76.7-year life expectancy significantly exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The 20.8% poor/fair health rate trails the state average, reflecting better overall health outcomes across the county.

Urban health advantage in North Texas

Dallas County's 76.7-year life expectancy and 220 mental health providers per 100,000 residents far outpace rural neighbors like Denton (80.7 years) and Dawson (70.7 years). The county's robust provider network—including 72 primary care providers per 100,000—reflects the infrastructure of a major metro area.

One in four Dallas residents uninsured

Dallas County's 23.6% uninsured rate exceeds the Texas average of 19.8%, meaning nearly 1.2 million adults lack health coverage despite the county's economic size. While primary care access is solid at 72 providers per 100,000, the uninsured often delay care or use emergency rooms instead.

Coverage matters for Dallas health

If you're among Dallas County's 23.6% uninsured residents, the ACA marketplace and Medicaid options offer pathways to affordable coverage. Check healthcare.gov or contact 211 Texas to explore plans that fit your income and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dallas County

via RiskByCounty

Dallas faces exceptionally high disaster risk

Dallas County's composite risk score of 99.65 places it in the "Very High" category, far exceeding the national average. This means residents here contend with significantly elevated exposure to multiple natural hazards compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Texas's most at-risk counties

With a score of 99.65, Dallas County ranks among the highest-risk counties in Texas, where the state average is 49.00. This dual exposure to urban density and natural hazard vulnerability creates compounded challenges for the region.

Dallas outpaces nearby counties in risk

Denton County (96.91) faces comparable tornado and flood threats, while surrounding rural counties like Kaufman and Ellis experience notably lower composite scores. Dallas's urban footprint amplifies the impact of hazards that neighboring areas endure at lower intensity.

Tornadoes and flooding dominate here

Dallas faces a tornado risk of 99.84 and flood risk of 99.55, the two hazards most likely to affect residents directly. Wildfire (80.28) and earthquake risk (91.28) add additional layers of concern, requiring year-round preparedness.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood or earthquake damage—critical gaps in Dallas given scores of 99.55 and 91.28 respectively. Residents should prioritize standalone flood insurance and consider earthquake coverage; tornado preparedness requires a reinforced safe room or access to community shelters.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.