Dallas, TX, and Columbus, OH, are two vibrant American cities with distinct characteristics. Dallas is known for its high-energy lifestyle, beautiful weather, and strong economy, while Columbus is recognized for its prosperous economy, friendly communities, and rich cultural life. This comparison will help potential residents and visitors understand what each city offers in terms of safety, weather, cost of living, education, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life.
Distance between
Dallas, TX and
Columbus, OH : 912.4 miles
Dallas's population is larger by 42%. Its population has grown by 99,877 people (8.4%) since 2000. The population of Columbus has grown by 195,058 people (27.4%) during that time.
Both cities have dedicated law enforcement agencies working hard to keep their communities safe. Although Dallas has a slightly higher crime rate than Columbus, the majority of these incidents are property crimes rather than violent crimes. Columbus has a lower crime rate overall, presenting a safer environment for families and individuals.
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 4,297 registered sex offenders living in Dallas and 1,506 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Dallas is 307 to 1; the ratio in Columbus is 573 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Dallas than in Columbus.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dallas is higher than Columbus, mainly due to pricier housing options. However, groceries, utilities, and healthcare are slightly less expensive in Dallas, making the overall cost of living comparable between the two cities.
Income Tax
Dallas residents enjoy a significant advantage as Texas has no state income tax, whereas Columbus residents pay both state and local income taxes.
Property Tax
Dallas has a higher property tax rate than Columbus, which could impact your decision if you’re planning to purchase a home.
Sales Tax
Dallas has a higher sales tax at 8.25% compared to Columbus at 7.5%. This difference should be considered when budgeting for living or traveling expenses.
Income
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Estimated median household income
$57,995
$58,202
Estimated per capita income
$38,479
$32,392
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
96.1
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $50,000 in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Dallas is part of the southern U.S, marked by plains, lakes, and the Trinity River. Columbus, part of the Midwest, offers a mix of city and rural landscapes, with river views from Scioto River.
Both cities offer excellent educational options. Dallas possesses a diverse school system and several reputable universities including the University of Texas Dallas. Columbus is home to the Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S, and has an excellent public school system.
Dallas boasts a robust economy, leading in sectors such as technology, finance, and energy. Columbus also has a strong economy with sectors like education, health care, and government leading the way. Both cities have low unemployment rates, indicating a healthy job market.
Biggest Employers
In Dallas, the largest employers include AT&T, Bank of America, and Texas Health Resources. Columbus is home to the headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies, with Ohio State University, Nationwide, and OhioHealth being key employers.
There were 2,245 building permits issued in Dallas in 2012 (1436 more than in 2011) compared to 913 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (246 more than in 2011).
In Dallas (Dallas County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
2020
65.1%
64.7%
33.4%
33.4%
1.4%
1.9%
2016
60.8%
59.8%
34.7%
33.9%
4.5%
6.2%
2012
57.3%
60.8%
41.8%
37.9%
1.0%
1.3%
2008
57.4%
59.8%
42.0%
39.0%
0.6%
1.2%
2004
49.0%
54.5%
50.4%
45.2%
0.5%
0.3%
2000
45.0%
48.9%
52.7%
47.9%
2.4%
3.2%
1996
46.0%
48.1%
46.8%
44.5%
7.2%
7.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.9%
13.2%
2.4%
5.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
11.0%
1.6%
31.1%
6.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.6%
1.3%
1.1%
1.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.4%
1.5%
1.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.4%
1.7%
2.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
1.6%
0.9%
3.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
1.0%
0.2%
3.3%
VINEYARD USA
0.0%
1.3%
0.0%
1.2%
Weather
The weather differs quite greatly between the two cities. Dallas enjoys a warm, sunny climate with mild winters, making outdoor activities possible year-round. Columbus, on the other hand, experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers, beautiful springs and autumns, and cold winters with occasional snowfall.
Weather and climate
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Temperature - Average
66.6°F
52.8°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.3%
74.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.3 in
39.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
56.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
12%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
49.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
27%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
55%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
28%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
8.2 mph
Average climate in Dallas, Texas
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Dallas
Columbus
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
Dallas
Columbus
2018
86
69
0.11
N/A
5.7
10.0
28.7
33.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
6.0
0.4
0.0
2017
84
68
0.16
N/A
5.5
9.6
28.6
28.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
5.5
0.3
0.1
2016
81
76
0.17
N/A
6.1
10.6
27.2
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
5.6
0.2
0.1
2015
85
74
0.16
N/A
6.5
11.3
26.7
27.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
6.1
0.3
0.1
2014
83
82
0.20
N/A
6.3
11.0
27.6
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.9
7.4
0.3
0.5
2013
97
78
N/A
N/A
7.3
8.9
28.8
29.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
7.8
0.2
0.6
2012
116
87
N/A
N/A
8.6
N/A
31.0
32.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.0
8.9
0.3
N/A
2011
98
89
N/A
N/A
9.4
N/A
30.9
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
8.9
0.6
N/A
2010
79
90
N/A
N/A
9.4
N/A
28.3
30.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
0.7
N/A
2009
88
61
N/A
N/A
9.2
N/A
28.8
28.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.5
N/A
2008
88
65
N/A
N/A
9.8
N/A
29.2
31.2
0.121
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.5
1.8
2007
94
80
N/A
N/A
11.0
N/A
25.7
30.8
0.070
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.3
2.8
2006
107
75
N/A
N/A
10.8
N/A
30.6
30.0
0.106
N/A
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.7
3.3
2005
108
87
N/A
N/A
13.0
N/A
29.7
29.6
0.142
N/A
27.5
N/A
11.0
N/A
0.9
4.1
2004
96
77
N/A
N/A
12.3
N/A
26.0
27.8
0.099
N/A
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
4.4
2003
102
91
N/A
N/A
13.6
N/A
27.1
26.4
0.121
N/A
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
4.1
2002
100
93
N/A
N/A
14.0
N/A
25.2
31.3
0.080
N/A
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.4
4.1
2001
100
84
N/A
N/A
14.3
N/A
26.0
29.2
0.069
N/A
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
3.5
2000
109
57
N/A
N/A
14.5
N/A
27.0
N/A
0.092
N/A
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
3.7
Natural disasters
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
254.7%
119.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
567%
96.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
16%
Transportation
Dallas has well-established public transport, including DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit). Columbus’ COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) provides reliable service, but commuting is heavily car-dependent in both cities.
Transport
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
2
415
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
56
4
Means of transportation to work
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Bicycle
0.3%
0.6%
Bus
1.4%
1.6%
Carpooled
10.9%
7.4%
Car alone
83.9%
86.7%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.6%
2.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Average
31.5 min
26.1 min
Other means
26.5 min
21.7 min
Public transportation
46 min
35.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
86.8%
90.7%
In 2 person carpool
9%
7.3%
In 3 person carpool
2.6%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Dallas' real estate market is dynamic, with higher home values than Columbus. Columbus offers affordable housing options, making it more ideal for first-time homebuyers.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer diverse neighborhoods to cater to different lifestyles. Dallas has upscale areas like Uptown and trendy locales like Deep Ellum. Columbus is renowned for its family-friendly neighborhoods like Dublin and artsy areas like Short North.
Houses and residents
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Houses
591,773
422,120
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.3
Median year apartment built
1987
1982
Median year house/condo built
1969
1977
Length of stay in the house since moving in
13.9 years
12.6 years
Houses occupied
536,008 (90.6%)
390,605 (92.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
229,518 (42.8%)
175,427 (44.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
306,490 (57.2%)
215,178 (55.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,403
$1,371
Median monthly housing costs
$1,225
$1,110
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$574,934
$195,022
Estimated median house or condo value
$267,600
$219,200
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
5
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$410,272
$233,452
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$255,160
$121,729
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$230,927
$215,337
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$444,589
$240,711
Median house price - mobile homes
$91,039
$121,578
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$350,045
$218,726
Median house price - All housing units
$402,215
$229,736
Median house age
40
42
Renting percentage
55.9%
53%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,727.6
2,007.5
House value disparities
41.3%
30.2%
Household income disparities
48.2%
42.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$103,798
$89,058
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$61,909
$59,295
Housing units without a mortgage
1,309 (1%)
4,290 (3.3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,320 (2.6%)
10,651 (8.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,846 (99%)
125,487 (96.7%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.2%)
775 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,351 (4.2%)
13,558 (10.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
1.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.9%
1.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Dallas
Columbus
One, detached
41.8%
45.8%
One, attached
4.3%
9.1%
Two
1.5%
4.0%
3 or 4
4.9%
8.6%
5 to 9
7.9%
11.8%
10 to 19
12.1%
8.6%
20 to 49
8.1%
4.5%
50 or more
18.4%
6.8%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.8%
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
20,915
State government workers
17,325
31,881
Unpaid family workers
754
724
Industries and Occupations
Dallas is a hub for jobs in finance, telecommunications, technology, and energy. Columbus, on the other hand, has strong growth in healthcare, education, and government jobs.
Both cities are served by top-notch healthcare facilities. Dallas has UT Southwestern Medical Center, one of the top medical schools in the country. Columbus boasts the nationally-ranked Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Dallas
Columbus
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Dallas provides modern infrastructure with a well-connected highway system, two airports, and extensive mass transit options. Columbus, meanwhile, has reliable road networks, an international airport, and a developing mass transit system.
Infrastructure
Type
Dallas
Columbus
Hospitals
74
47
TV stations
25
14
Arenas or stadiums
2
3
Bank branches located here
394
200
Bank institutions located here
80
25
Main business address for public companies
122
23
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
8
17
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Dallas
Columbus
1999
5,030
2,450
2000
3,390
2,376
2001
2,626
1,897
2002
2,657
1,483
2003
3,617
2,087
2004
5,460
3,216
2005
7,445
4,275
2006
7,397
4,662
2007
5,056
2,679
2008
2,200
1,015
2009
1,121
555
Culture and Food
Dallas is famous for its Tex-Mex cuisine and BBQ, along with its vibrant arts and music scene. Columbus boasts a rich cultural life with festivals, museums, and theaters, and a diverse food scene with a mix of American, Asian, and European influences.
Sports Teams
Dallas is home to popular teams including the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and Dallas Mavericks (NBA). Columbus is a hotspot for college sports due to Ohio State University, and it also hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL).
Dallas, TX
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX and 
Columbus, OH : 912.4 miles
