Dallas vs Austin: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Dallas, TX and Austin, TX. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Dallas
Texas
Cost Index103.1
Median Rent$1,472/mo
Median Income$71K
State TaxNone
Average
City B
Austin
Texas
Cost Index98.1
Median Rent$1,729/mo
Median Income$94K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Austin to match your lifestyle in Dallas?
$80,000
Dallas
$80,000
Cost Index: 103.1
Austin
$76,101
Cost Index: 98.1
You need $3,899 less in Austin to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-4.9%
Dallas103.1
Austin98.1
Median Rent+17.5%
Dallas$1K
Austin$2K
Median Income+32.8%
Dallas$71K
Austin$94K
Grocery Index-70.9%
Dallas343.1
Austin100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Dallas100.0
Austin100.0
Transportation-65.6%
Dallas290.5
Austin100.0
Healthcare~equal
Dallas100.0
Austin100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
DallasNone
AustinNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Dallas: Pros & Cons
Lower rent — $1,472/mo vs $1,729/mo
5% higher overall cost of living
Austin: Pros & Cons
5% lower overall cost of living
Higher median income ($94K)
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (3.2%)
Higher rent — $1,729/mo vs $1,472/mo
Dallas vs Austin – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Dallas and Austin.
Dallas has a cost of living index of 103.1, while Austin scores 98.1. Dallas is approximately -4.9% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Dallas is $1,472/month compared to $1,729/month in Austin — a difference of 17%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 95% of your Dallas salary to maintain the same standard of living in Austin. For example, a $75,000 salary in Dallas would need to be about $71,345 in Austin. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Dallas has a median household income of $70,518 with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Austin has a median household income of $93,658 with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. While income is higher in Austin, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.