Dallas vs Houston: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Dallas, TX and Houston, 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
Houston
Texas
Cost Index98.6
Median Rent$1,361/mo
Median Income$65K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Houston to match your lifestyle in Dallas?
$80,000
Dallas
$80,000
Cost Index: 103.1
Houston
$76,538
Cost Index: 98.6
You need $3,462 less in Houston 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-4.3%
Dallas103.1
Houston98.6
Median Rent-7.5%
Dallas$1K
Houston$1K
Median Income-8.1%
Dallas$71K
Houston$65K
Grocery Index+2.1%
Dallas343.1
Houston350.2
Utilities Index~equal
Dallas100.0
Houston100.0
Transportation-3.1%
Dallas290.5
Houston281.5
Healthcare~equal
Dallas100.0
Houston100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
DallasNone
HoustonNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Dallas: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($71K)
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (3.6%)
4% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,472/mo vs $1,361/mo
Houston: Pros & Cons
4% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,361/mo vs $1,472/mo
Dallas vs Houston – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Dallas and Houston.
Dallas has a cost of living index of 103.1, while Houston scores 98.6. Dallas is approximately -4.3% 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 $1,361/month in Houston — a difference of 8%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 96% of your Dallas salary to maintain the same standard of living in Houston. For example, a $75,000 salary in Dallas would need to be about $71,755 in Houston. 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%. Houston has a median household income of $64,813 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. While income is higher in Dallas, 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.