Houston vs Dallas: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Houston, TX and Dallas, TX. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Houston
Texas
Cost Index98.6
Median Rent$1,361/mo
Median Income$65K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Better value overall
City B
Dallas
Texas
Cost Index103.1
Median Rent$1,472/mo
Median Income$71K
State TaxNone
Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Dallas to match your lifestyle in Houston?
$80,000
Houston
$80,000
Cost Index: 98.6
Dallas
$83,618
Cost Index: 103.1
You need +$3,618 more in Dallas 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+4.5%
Houston98.6
Dallas103.1
Median Rent+8.2%
Houston$1K
Dallas$1K
Median Income+8.8%
Houston$65K
Dallas$71K
Grocery Index-2.0%
Houston350.2
Dallas343.1
Utilities Index~equal
Houston100.0
Dallas100.0
Transportation+3.2%
Houston281.5
Dallas290.5
Healthcare~equal
Houston100.0
Dallas100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
HoustonNone
DallasNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Houston: Pros & Cons
5% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,361/mo vs $1,472/mo
Dallas: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($71K)
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (3.6%)
5% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,472/mo vs $1,361/mo
Houston vs Dallas – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Houston and Dallas.
Houston has a cost of living index of 98.6, while Dallas scores 103.1. Dallas is approximately 4.5% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,361/month compared to $1,472/month in Dallas — 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 105% of your Houston salary to maintain the same standard of living in Dallas. For example, a $75,000 salary in Houston would need to be about $78,392 in Dallas. 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.
Houston has a median household income of $64,813 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Dallas has a median household income of $70,518 with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. 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.