Cost of Living in Dallas, TX

With a cost of living index of 103, Dallas, TX is somewhat more expensive than average. Living here is 3% more expensive than the national average and 15% above the Texas state average of 88. As a major city with a population of 1,299,553, Dallas offers a wide range of housing options, employment opportunities, and urban amenities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Dallas's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,403 (6% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $295,300 (3% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Dallas is $67,760, which is 10% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 25% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.