Dallas, TX vs Monterey, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Dallas
70.1
#1132 nationally
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Dallas leads in cost of living index (105 vs 192). Monterey leads in median household income ($98,003 vs $61,899). Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 27.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1132) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 1,304,379 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,590 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $61,899 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 10.5 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+22.2 | D+29.9 |
C-
70.1 Score
Dallas, TX
Big D - business and culture collide
Median Home
$309,590
Population
1,304,379
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Dallas, TX →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →