Comparing Dallas, Texas to West Adams, Colorado might seem like comparing apples to oranges, owing to their varied characteristics. Dallas is a sprawling Texas city known for its vibrant economy, cultural diversity, and southern charm while West Adams, Colorado is a rustic, mountainous region lauded for its natural beauty and tranquility. From crime rates to living costs, weather conditions to the education system, each possesses its unique offerings and challenges. This analysis provides an in-depth comparison of these two regions regarding crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, economy, infrastructure, industries, major employers, real estate, neighborhoods, commuting options, taxes, culture, sports, geographic conditions, and healthcare.
Dallas fights a reputation for crime with higher rates compared to the national average. Nevertheless, it's crucial to note that crime rates vary by neighborhood and the city has implemented numerous programs to improve safety. On the other hand, West Adams is a rural county in Colorado with a relatively low population resulting in lower crime rates. However, law enforcement resources may not be as extensive as in a large city like Dallas.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dallas is relatively low compared to the national average, especially considering it’s a significant metropolitan city. This includes housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare. Conversely, the cost of living in West Adams, while less than Denver, is higher than Dallas due to the rural mountain lifestyle.
Income Tax
There is no state income tax in Texas, a significant financial incentive for many residents. Colorado, on the other hand, imposes a flat rate state income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Dallas are above the national average but vary depending on the school district and neighborhood. However, the absence of state income tax can offset high property tax. In West Adams, property taxes are generally lower but can vary based on specific localities.
Sales Tax
Texas does not have a state income tax, but Dallas does have a higher-than-average sales tax rate. Colorado has a lower state sales tax, but West Adams has additional county sales taxes which may increase the overall rate.
Income
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Estimated median household income
$57,995
$86,329
Estimated per capita income
$38,479
$37,504
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
117.6
If you make $50,000 in Dallas, you will have to make $61,186 in West Adams to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Dallas is located on the flat coastal plains, with few natural landscapes. In contrast, West Adams offers spectacular natural beauty with mountainous terrain, forests, and rivers.
Geographical information
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Land area
342.5 sq. miles
74.5 sq. miles
Population density
3,761.4 people per sq. mile
4,165.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Dallas, TX West Adams, CO
Education
Dallas boasts many high-quality schools and educational institutions, as well as a wide range of private and public schools. There are also numerous colleges and universities in the area. West Adams, being a sparsely populated rural area, has fewer schools. However, the student-to-teacher ratio might be lower, allowing for more personalized attention.
Dallas has a diversified economy with segments including financial services, information technology, and healthcare. Its strategic location makes it a commercial hub for various businesses. West Adams’s economy is more agriculturally focused, providing a more relaxed, rural work setting compared to Dallas's dynamic, fast-paced urban economy.
Biggest Employers
The biggest employers in Dallas include Texas Health Resources, Methodist Health System, and AT&T. In West Adams, due to its rural nature, the major employers tend to be school districts, healthcare facilities, and local government offices.
In Dallas (Dallas County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 41.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In West Adams (Adams County), 57.3% voted for Democrats and 40.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Dallas
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
2020
65.1%
57.1%
33.4%
40.7%
1.4%
2.2%
2016
60.8%
50.1%
34.7%
41.6%
4.5%
8.3%
2012
57.3%
57.3%
41.8%
40.4%
1.0%
2.3%
2008
57.4%
58.5%
42.0%
40.1%
0.6%
1.4%
2004
49.0%
50.7%
50.4%
48.4%
0.5%
0.9%
2000
45.0%
50.3%
52.7%
44.2%
2.4%
5.5%
1996
46.0%
51.3%
46.8%
38.9%
7.2%
9.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Dallas
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.9%
16.0%
2.4%
4.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
11.0%
0.7%
31.1%
7.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.6%
0.1%
1.1%
0.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.1%
1.5%
1.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.4%
1.7%
3.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
0.9%
2.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.7%
0.7%
3.3%
Weather
Dallas is known for its extreme temperatures, with hot summers and mild winters. Tornadoes are also a risk due to Dallas's location in Tornado Alley. West Adams, on the other hand, enjoys a varied four-season climate with comfortable summer temperatures and winter snowfalls, which is perfect for winter sporting activities.
Weather and climate
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Temperature - Average
66.6°F
49.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.3%
50.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
20%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
55%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
35%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.3 in
13.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
114 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
19.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
75.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
10%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
64%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Dallas, Texas
Average climate in West Adams, Colorado
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Dallas
West Adams
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
Dallas
West Adams
2018
86
104
0.31
N/A
5.7
18.6
28.7
27.9
N/A
N/A
29.2
N/A
9.7
9.2
0.4
0.8
2017
84
97
0.31
N/A
5.5
18.8
28.6
27.6
N/A
N/A
22.0
N/A
9.1
8.9
0.3
0.9
2016
81
90
0.40
N/A
6.1
20.9
27.2
26.6
N/A
N/A
22.6
N/A
8.4
8.4
0.2
0.9
2015
85
101
0.42
N/A
6.5
19.7
26.7
25.9
N/A
N/A
20.2
N/A
8.9
9.4
0.3
1.1
2014
83
94
0.38
N/A
6.3
19.1
27.6
27.4
N/A
N/A
19.3
N/A
9.9
10.1
0.3
1.2
2013
97
83
0.37
N/A
7.3
17.3
28.8
27.5
N/A
N/A
18.7
N/A
13.0
N/A
0.2
1.3
2012
116
90
0.37
N/A
8.6
18.9
31.0
27.4
N/A
N/A
23.5
N/A
12.0
N/A
0.3
0.9
2011
98
90
0.35
N/A
9.4
18.1
30.9
28.0
N/A
N/A
24.0
N/A
11.9
N/A
0.6
1.4
2010
79
78
0.37
N/A
9.4
16.3
28.3
26.6
N/A
N/A
27.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.7
1.0
2009
88
76
0.35
N/A
9.2
14.1
28.8
26.6
N/A
0.005
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.5
1.3
2008
88
85
0.39
N/A
9.8
17.3
29.2
27.9
0.121
0.008
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.5
1.6
2007
94
96
0.46
N/A
11.0
20.6
25.7
25.4
0.070
0.007
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.3
1.2
2006
107
89
0.49
N/A
10.8
19.0
30.6
24.1
0.106
0.034
28.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.7
1.4
2005
108
86
0.56
N/A
13.0
21.3
29.7
21.4
0.142
0.124
29.5
N/A
11.0
N/A
0.9
1.5
2004
96
82
0.59
N/A
12.3
21.2
26.0
19.4
0.099
0.051
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
1.9
2003
102
106
0.55
N/A
13.6
21.2
27.1
21.1
0.121
0.055
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
1.9
2002
100
86
0.56
N/A
14.0
19.2
25.2
20.9
0.080
0.034
35.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.4
2.4
2001
100
95
0.69
N/A
14.3
24.6
26.0
17.7
0.069
0.040
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.0
2.5
2000
109
94
0.67
N/A
14.5
14.1
27.0
19.0
0.092
0.042
12.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
254.7%
130.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
567%
809.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
21%
11%
Transportation
Dallas has a developed public transportation network with busses, light rail, and comprehensive freeways for commuters. West Adams, being a rural county, relies more on personal vehicles with fewer public transit options.
Transport
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
2
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
56
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Bicycle
0.3%
0.2%
Bus
1.4%
4.2%
Carpooled
10.9%
13.1%
Car alone
83.9%
77.4%
Motorcycle
0%
0.2%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
1.6%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Average
31.5 min
28.2 min
Real Estate
Dallas has a diverse real estate market with options ranging from downtown apartments to suburban homes. Housing costs are generally lower compared to other metro areas. West Adams offers more rural and spacious properties, but with a higher price tag due to the desirability of mountain living.
Neighborhoods
Dallas is filled with diverse neighborhoods, catering to various lifestyles. Uptown is known for its nightlife while Highland Park is famed for luxurious living. West Adams offers a tranquil, rural lifestyle with beautiful mountain landscapes.
Houses and residents
Type
Dallas
West Adams
Houses
591,773
96,976
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.7
Houses occupied
536,008 (90.6%)
94,294 (97.2%)
Houses occupied by owners
229,518 (42.8%)
68,196 (72.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
306,490 (57.2%)
26,098 (27.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,403
$1,683
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$574,934
$576,371
Estimated median house or condo value
$267,600
$438,983
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.8
Renting percentage
55.9%
35.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,727.6
1,301.4
Household income disparities
48.2%
38.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,309 (1%)
8,555 (15.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,320 (2.6%)
181 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,846 (99%)
46,792 (84.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.2%)
4,321 (7.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,351 (4.2%)
10,023 (18.1%)
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
6,415
State government workers
17,325
3,185
Unpaid family workers
754
326
Industries and Occupations
Dallas is known for its tech industry and the finance sector with many opportunities in these fields. West Adams, as a rural area, has a more agriculture-focused economy. Other significant sectors include public administration, healthcare, and education.
Dallas has many cutting-edge medical facilities like the UT Southwestern Medical Center. West Adams has fewer healthcare facilities due its lower population, but access to high-quality care is still available within a reasonable distance.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Dallas
West Adams
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Dallas has a modern infrastructure with major highways, airports, hospitals, and commercial buildings. West Adams has fewer infrastructural developments, which is part of the county's charm. The focus here is more on sustainable, low-impact development due to its natural setting.
Infrastructure
Type
Dallas
West Adams
TV stations
25
17
Culture and Food
Dallas boasts a rich cultural lifestyle with distinct southern charm. With a diverse food scene, Dallas is known for its Tex-Mex and barbecue. West Adams presents a simpler, rural culture, with comfort food and home-style eateries being more common.
Sports Teams
Dallas is home to several professional sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), and Texas Rangers (MLB). West Adams does not host any professional sports teams, but Denver's teams are not too far away for sports fans.
Dallas, TX
West Adams, CO
Dallas, TX and 
West Adams, CO : 668.3 miles
