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Is Dale City a Good Place to Live? Dale City, Virginia: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Dale City ranks #555 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #251 of 524 smaller cities and #13 of 20 in Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (7%, #112 of 524) and high household income ($111,994, #121 of 524), and trails on long commutes (37.4 min, #515 of 524).
Dale City by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Dale City's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Dale City: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Dale City safe?
What is the cost of living in Dale City?
Dale City's cost of living index is 108.9, 9% above the US level of 100 and #1079 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,876/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $425,500.
| Measure | Dale City | VirginiaVA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 108.9#1079 of 1,308 | 101.1 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $425,500#844 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,876/mo#1019 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 3.8x#506 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 20.1%#458 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Is Dale City safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Dale City alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Dale City crime rate or rank it on safety. Virginia as a whole records 206 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Dale City?
The median household in Dale City earns $111,994, 35% above the US figure of $83,163 and 22% above Virginia ($92,090). 7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dale City | VirginiaVA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $111,994#217 of 1,312 | $92,090 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 7%#241 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Dale City?
The median resident of Dale City is 35.2 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 33.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #667 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 79.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Dale City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 35.2 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 33.5%#667 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 79.3% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Dale City's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Dale City to describe its public schools. 36% of adults are obese and 12.3% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Dale City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 36%#866 of 1,311 | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 12.3%#839 of 1,311 | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 15.9%#390 of 1,311 | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 13.7%#1007 of 1,311 | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Dale City?
The average commute in Dale City is 37.4 minutes (Virginia 28.3); 2.3% of workers take transit and 14.2% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Dale City scores 8.9 of 20 (below average walkable), #851 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 77.2°F and winters 38.8°F, with 41 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Dale City | VirginiaVA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 37.4 min#1291 of 1,312 | 28.3 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 18.3%#1268 of 1,312 | 10% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 69.2% | 68.6% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 2.3% | 3% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 0.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0% | 0.3% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 14.2% | 15.8% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 8.9#851 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44.8 | 28.3 | 2.7 |
| Feb | 48.3 | 30.4 | 2.4 |
| Mar | 56.3 | 37.1 | 3.6 |
| Apr | 67.8 | 47.1 | 3.2 |
| May | 75.5 | 56.8 | 3.6 |
| Jun | 83.7 | 65.9 | 3.5 |
| Jul | 88 | 70.7 | 4.6 |
| Aug | 86.1 | 69 | 4.2 |
| Sep | 79.5 | 62.1 | 3.4 |
| Oct | 68.8 | 49.7 | 3.3 |
| Nov | 57.8 | 39.3 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 48.6 | 32.2 | 3.3 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Quantico Mcas.
| Measure | Dale City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 58.1°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 77.2°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 38.8°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 41 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Quantico Mcas.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Dale City?
Prince William County's air had a median air quality index of 35, and 96% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Prince William County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, earthquake, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.1% of building value, lower than 88% of US counties.
| Measure | Dale City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 35#143 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.1%#193 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Prince William County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Prince William County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 0.0063% | 69% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0031% | 52% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0016% | 45% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0015% | 41% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.071% | 37% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0028% | 27% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Dale City compare with similar-size cities?
Dale City is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #251 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 71,016.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale City, VAPop. 71,016 | #555 | 57.2 | $111,994 | $1,876/mo | no data | 37.4 min |
| Jacksonville, NCPop. 71,279 | #794 | 53.4 | $57,697 | $1,321/mo | 228 | 15 min |
| St. Joseph, MOPop. 71,236 | #1106 | 47.8 | $57,956 | $898/mo | 500 | 17 min |
| Waukesha, WIPop. 71,233 | #197 | 64.5 | $83,837 | $1,219/mo | 115 | 21.3 min |
| Maple Grove, MNPop. 71,173 | #75 | 69.2 | $132,731 | $1,868/mo | 112 | 24 min |
| Lafayette, INPop. 71,159 | #524 | 57.7 | $53,716 | $1,079/mo | 396 | 16.4 min |
| West Des Moines, IAPop. 71,083 | #151 | 66.1 | $86,594 | $1,237/mo | 147 | 18.3 min |
| Tulare, CAPop. 70,945 | #1164 | 46.3 | $72,410 | $1,435/mo | 477 | 22.8 min |
| San Marcos, TXPop. 70,897 | #919 | 51.4 | $51,281 | $1,322/mo | 422 | 24 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Dale City compare with the rest of Virginia?
Dale City ranks #13 of the 20 Virginia cities we track, with a score of 57.2 against Virginia's statewide 67.7. Its households earn 22% above the Virginia median.
| City | Rank in VA | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reston, VAPop. 64,414 | #1 | 75.8 | $148,710 | $2,231/mo | no data |
| Arlington, VAPop. 236,254 | #2 | 75.0 | $142,114 | $2,322/mo | no data |
| McLean, VAPop. 49,627 | #3 | 72.6 | $250,001 | $3,422/mo | no data |
| Centreville, VAPop. 71,706 | #4 | 71.5 | $139,510 | $2,299/mo | no data |
| Leesburg, VAPop. 49,171 | #5 | 69.7 | $145,205 | $2,105/mo | 237 |
| Alexandria, VAPop. 156,976 | #6 | 68.9 | $119,681 | $2,089/mo | 142 |
| Charlottesville, VAPop. 45,437 | #7 | 63.3 | $74,824 | $1,540/mo | 277 |
| Virginia Beach, VAPop. 456,349 | #8 | 63.1 | $92,968 | $1,714/mo | 100 |
| Tuckahoe, VAPop. 49,183 | #9 | 61.8 | $102,264 | $1,536/mo | no data |
| Chesapeake, VAPop. 252,583 | #10 | 59.4 | $95,373 | $1,586/mo | 319 |
| Harrisonburg, VAPop. 51,392 | #11 | 59.4 | $62,254 | $1,184/mo | 211 |
| Lynchburg, VAPop. 79,497 | #12 | 58.8 | $57,947 | $1,073/mo | 361 |
| Dale City, VAPop. 71,016 | #13 | 57.2 | $111,994 | $1,876/mo | no data |
| Richmond, VAPop. 229,359 | #14 | 56.5 | $64,587 | $1,372/mo | 441 |
| Suffolk, VAPop. 98,796 | #15 | 56.0 | $92,666 | $1,563/mo | 365 |
| Hampton, VAPop. 137,557 | #16 | 55.0 | $69,621 | $1,427/mo | 276 |
| Norfolk, VAPop. 233,596 | #17 | 54.1 | $66,109 | $1,321/mo | 399 |
| Roanoke, VAPop. 98,355 | #18 | 53.4 | $55,378 | $996/mo | 554 |
| Newport News, VAPop. 184,216 | #19 | 52.0 | $69,634 | $1,339/mo | 794 |
| Portsmouth, VAPop. 97,190 | #20 | 48.4 | $60,491 | $1,300/mo | 773 |
All 20 Virginia cities we track, by overall score. Virginia statewide: median income $92,090, violent crime 205.9 per 100,000.
How is Dale City's score calculated?
Dale City scores 57.2 out of 100, #555 of 1,312 (grade B, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Virginia's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Dale City. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 55.5.
67.0 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Dale City. Similar-size median 58.9.
52.3 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Dale City's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
51.9 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Dale City. Similar-size median 56.1.
76.1 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Dale City. Similar-size median 50.0.
34.1 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Dale City's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
41.6 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
78.8 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Dale City alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Dale City.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Dale City.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Dale City's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Dale City has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Dale City
Is Dale City, VA a good place to live?
Dale City ranks #555 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #251 of 524 smaller cities and #13 of 20 in Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (7%, #112 of 524) and high household income ($111,994, #121 of 524), and trails on long commutes (37.4 min, #515 of 524).
What is the cost of living in Dale City?
Dale City's cost of living index is 108.9, 9% above the US level of 100 and #1079 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,876/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $425,500.
Is Dale City safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Dale City alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Dale City crime rate or rank it on safety. Virginia as a whole records 206 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Dale City?
The median household in Dale City earns $111,994, 35% above the US figure of $83,163 and 22% above Virginia ($92,090). 7% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Dale City?
Median rent in Dale City is $1,876/mo (Census), #1019 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 20.1% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Dale City?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Dale City is $425,500, #844 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Dale City?
We have too few school records for Dale City to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Dale City?
The average commute is 37.4 minutes, #1291 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 28.3 minutes across Virginia. 18.3% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Dale City?
Dale City averages 58.1°F over the year, 77.2°F in summer and 38.8°F in winter, with 41 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Dale City walkable?
Dale City scores 8.9 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #851 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Dale City at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Prince William County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, earthquake, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.1% of building value, lower than 88% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Dale City?
Prince William County's air had a median air quality index of 35, and 96% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Dale City?
Dale City has 71,016 residents. The median resident of Dale City is 35.2 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 33.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #667 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 79.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Dale City compare with the rest of Virginia?
Dale City ranks #13 of the 20 Virginia cities we track, with a score of 57.2 against Virginia's statewide 67.7. Its households earn 22% above the Virginia median.
What cities are similar in size to Dale City?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Dale City's population of 71,016 are Jacksonville, NC (#794 overall), St. Joseph, MO (#1106 overall), Waukesha, WI (#197 overall), Maple Grove, MN (#75 overall), and Lafayette, IN (#524 overall). Dale City is #555.