Cedar Hill vs Duncanville: which is better to live in?
Cedar Hill gets D+ overall and Duncanville gets D-. Cedar Hill comes out ahead on our index.
Cedar Hill wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access. Duncanville wins on cost of living, errands and things to do and getting around.
Cedar Hill suits families better, while Duncanville suits young professionals better.
Side by side
| Cedar Hill | Duncanville | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D+ | D- |
| Population | 49,801 | 38,915 |
| Growth since 2020 | +1.3% | -4.4% |
| Median rent | $1,993 | $1,630 |
| Median home value | $302,700 | $255,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,102 | $1,723 |
| Median household income | $101,909 | $76,457 |
| Property tax per year | $5,347 | $3,893 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 155 | 260 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,716 | 2,041 |
| Schools rated A or B | 31% | 14% |
| Average commute | 31 min | 26 min |
| Work from home | 17% | 12% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 36% | 25% |
| Median age | 35.7 years | 36.2 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 101 | 104 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Cedar Hill | Duncanville | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D+ (31) | C- (34) |
| Jobs and income | C (42) | D+ (32) |
| Schools | C- (37) | F (5) |
| Safety | C+ (51) | C- (32) |
| Errands and things to do | D (18) | A- (83) |
| Getting around | F (7) | D+ (28) |
| Education levels | C+ (52) | D (18) |
| Health | D+ (26) | D- (14) |
| Home ownership | B (65) | C+ (50) |
| Internet access | B+ (79) | C+ (55) |
Cost of living
Duncanville is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Cedar Hill: a median of $1,993 a month, 22% higher than Duncanville's $1,630.
The median home is worth $302,700 in Cedar Hill and $255,500 in Duncanville. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,102 a month against $1,723, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.0 times income in Cedar Hill and 3.3 times in Duncanville.
Commute and location
Commutes average 31 minutes in Cedar Hill and 26 in Duncanville.
The two are about 5 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Cedar Hill has less violent crime. Cedar Hill reported 155 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Duncanville reported 260 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 31% of Cedar Hill's 13 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 14% of Duncanville's 14.
Common questions
Is Cedar Hill or Duncanville better to live in?
Cedar Hill grades higher overall (D+ vs D-). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Cedar Hill cheaper than Duncanville?
No. Duncanville has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Cedar Hill or Duncanville?
Cedar Hill, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.