Dallas, the ninth-largest city in the U.S. and third-largest in Texas, contrasts with Northwest Harris, a designated census place within Harris County. As a bustling metropolis and cultural hub, Dallas provides urban amenities, while Northwest Harris offers a quieter, suburban atmosphere. Each location has its unique characteristics in terms of crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work, and economy, infrastructure, and more.
Dallas has a higher crime rate compared to Northwest Harris due to its large population. However, Dallas police are vigilant and constantly at work to keep crime rates low. In Northwest Harris, crimes tend to be lower due to its smaller population and suburban nature. However, it's still advisable for residents and tourists alike to exercise common sense and precaution.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dallas is slightly higher than in Northwest Harris. This is primarily due to the higher cost of housing, food, and entertainment in this major city. In contrast, Northwest Harris, being more suburban, might offer a more affordable cost of living, especially for families.
Income Tax
Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, which applies to both Dallas and Northwest Harris.
Property Tax
Property tax rates differ between Dallas and Northwest Harris as they’re based on local assessment. Dallas has a higher average property tax rate compared to Northwest Harris.
Sales Tax
Both Dallas and Northwest Harris fall under Texas' state sales tax rate of 6.25%. However, Dallas has an additional 2% city sales tax, while Northwest Harris relies on Harris County's 2% tax.
Income
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Estimated median household income
$57,995
$91,482
Estimated per capita income
$38,479
$43,231
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
102.4
If you make $50,000 in Dallas, you will have to make $53,278 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Dallas is located in North Texas, and it's largely flat with some hilly areas. Northwest Harris, located on the Gulf Coastal Plain, is mostly flat, with bayous and creeks adding variety to the terrain.
Geographical information
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Land area
342.5 sq. miles
437.4 sq. miles
Population density
3,761.4 people per sq. mile
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Dallas, TX Northwest Harris, TX
Education
Dallas provides a wealth of educational opportunities, with several highly regarded private and public schools, universities, and research institutions. Northwest Harris also offers excellent education, with high-ranking school districts and proximities to institutions like Rice University and the University of Houston.
Dallas' economy is diverse and robust, with thriving sectors including technology, healthcare, finance, and more. In contrast, Northwest Harris has a strong economy tied to the greater Houston Area, featuring sectors like energy, aeronautics, and healthcare.
Biggest Employers
Dallas' biggest employers include AT&T, Texas Health Resources, and Tenet Healthcare. In Northwest Harris, the largest employers reflect its connection to the Houston economy, with companies like Memorial Hermann Health System and Houston Methodist Hospital.
In Dallas (Dallas County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Northwest Harris
2020
65.1%
56.0%
33.4%
42.7%
1.4%
1.3%
2016
60.8%
54.0%
34.7%
41.6%
4.5%
4.4%
2012
57.3%
49.4%
41.8%
49.3%
1.0%
1.3%
2008
57.4%
50.5%
42.0%
48.9%
0.6%
0.6%
2004
49.0%
44.6%
50.4%
54.9%
0.5%
0.5%
2000
45.0%
43.0%
52.7%
54.4%
2.4%
2.6%
1996
46.0%
45.2%
46.8%
49.2%
7.2%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Northwest Harris
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.9%
18.1%
2.4%
3.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
11.0%
14.2%
31.1%
26.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.6%
2.9%
1.1%
1.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
1.0%
1.5%
1.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
1.7%
1.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.3%
0.9%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.7%
0.7%
1.5%
Weather
Dallas experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Extreme weather conditions like tornadoes can occur. In contrast, Northwest Harris experiences a somewhat similar climatic condition, but with higher humidity due to its proximity to the Gulf Coast. Both areas are susceptible to extreme weather events like hurricanes and thunderstorms.
Weather and climate
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Temperature - Average
66.6°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.3%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.3 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
43%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Dallas, Texas
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Dallas
Northwest Harris
2018
86
95
N/A
N/A
5.7
5.1
28.7
23.5
N/A
N/A
9.7
8.7
0.4
N/A
2017
84
94
N/A
N/A
5.5
4.7
28.6
25.2
N/A
N/A
9.1
8.5
0.3
0.5
2016
81
93
N/A
N/A
6.1
5.7
27.2
23.7
N/A
N/A
8.4
8.5
0.2
0.4
2015
85
100
N/A
N/A
6.5
6.1
26.7
23.1
N/A
N/A
8.9
9.3
0.3
0.1
2014
83
88
0.28
N/A
6.3
6.7
27.6
22.3
N/A
N/A
9.9
9.6
0.3
0.1
2013
97
104
0.29
N/A
7.3
6.6
28.8
23.7
N/A
N/A
13.0
10.3
0.2
0.1
2012
116
107
0.30
N/A
8.6
7.1
31.0
24.8
N/A
N/A
12.0
10.6
0.3
0.2
2011
98
115
0.32
N/A
9.4
6.8
30.9
27.0
N/A
N/A
11.9
11.3
0.6
0.6
2010
79
104
0.26
N/A
9.4
7.5
28.3
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
0.7
0.8
2009
88
114
0.27
N/A
9.2
6.8
28.8
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
0.5
0.9
2008
88
104
0.35
N/A
9.8
8.0
29.2
24.5
0.121
N/A
N/A
11.9
0.5
1.4
2007
94
123
0.37
N/A
11.0
9.1
25.7
23.2
0.070
N/A
N/A
13.0
0.3
1.7
2006
107
130
0.39
N/A
10.8
9.0
30.6
25.0
0.106
N/A
N/A
11.6
0.7
1.5
2005
108
132
0.42
N/A
13.0
9.7
29.7
25.3
0.142
N/A
11.0
13.3
0.9
2.6
2004
96
125
0.44
N/A
12.3
10.0
26.0
22.9
0.099
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
2.8
2003
102
144
0.62
N/A
13.6
10.8
27.1
23.5
0.121
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
2.4
2002
100
124
0.55
N/A
14.0
10.5
25.2
22.5
0.080
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.4
1.5
2001
100
148
0.44
N/A
14.3
12.0
26.0
22.2
0.069
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
2.0
2000
109
133
0.50
N/A
14.5
10.8
27.0
23.0
0.092
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
254.7%
179.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
567%
67.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
32%
Transportation
Dallas provides comprehensive public transportation, including light rail, buses, and bike-sharing programs. Commuting in Northwest Harris may lean more on private vehicles, but public transit does connect to the wider Houston area.
Transport
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
2
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
56
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Bicycle
0.3%
0.1%
Bus
1.4%
2.5%
Carpooled
10.9%
11.3%
Car alone
83.9%
81.5%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
1.6%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Average
31.5 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Dallas is diverse, with options ranging from historic homes to modern high-rises, and it is relatively more expensive. Northwest Harris offers more suburban-style living, with single-family homes predominating, and it is generally more affordable.
Neighborhoods
Dallas offers a broad array of neighborhoods from bustling downtown areas to quiet, suburban-like pockets. Northwest Harris offers lower-density neighborhoods, with much of the area being suburban and family-friendly.
Houses and residents
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
Houses
591,773
149,181
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.9
Houses occupied
536,008 (90.6%)
141,708 (95%)
Houses occupied by owners
229,518 (42.8%)
100,076 (70.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
306,490 (57.2%)
41,632 (29.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,403
$1,182
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$574,934
$300,799
Estimated median house or condo value
$267,600
$307,883
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
7.5
Renting percentage
55.9%
28.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,727.6
341.1
Household income disparities
48.2%
38.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,309 (1%)
15,158 (16.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,320 (2.6%)
105 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,846 (99%)
76,541 (83.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.2%)
3,826 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,351 (4.2%)
4,244 (4.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
43,703
12,608
State government workers
17,325
7,312
Unpaid family workers
754
552
Industries and Occupations
Key industries in Dallas include financial services, information technology, defense, and life sciences. Northwest Harris, closely tied to the Houston economy, sees energy, aeronautics, and healthcare as its primary industries.
Both Dallas and Northwest Harris offer excellent healthcare options. Dallas is a healthcare hub with numerous hospitals and clinics. Northwest Harris also has excellent healthcare, with easy access to Houston’s renowned Texas Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Dallas has a well-developed infrastructure with a network of highways, city streets, and public transportation options. Northwest Harris also has strong infrastructure, and its commuters benefit from less traffic than in Dallas.
Infrastructure
Type
Dallas
Northwest Harris
TV stations
25
27
Culture and Food
Dallas is a hub for diverse cultures and cuisines, from authentic Tex-Mex and barbecues to Asian fusion. Northwest Harris, though smaller, still offers a diverse food scene and cultural activities, largely influenced by Houston.
Sports Teams
As a major city, Dallas hosts several major sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and Dallas Mavericks (NBA). In contrast, Northwest Harris residents usually support Houston-based teams like the Houston Rockets (NBA) and Houston Texans (NFL).
Dallas, TX
Northwest Harris, TX
Dallas, TX and 
Northwest Harris, TX : 205.7 miles
