Cost of Living in Dallas
Overall index: 98.2 — 7 points above Texas average. Texas statewide average: 91.1.
Where your money goes in Dallas
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Dallas
Estimated annual spending: $62,623($12,377 remaining)
What things cost in Dallas
| Item | Dallas | Texas avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $360,000 | $295,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,500/mo | $1,112/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.21/gal | $3.21/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $87/mo | $87/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $12,800/yr | $10,706/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Dallas vs Texas statewide. National average = 100.
Other cities in Texas
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Dallas?
Dallas has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.2 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Texas statewide average of 91.1. Median home prices are $360,000 and average 2BR rent is $1,500/month.
Is Dallas expensive to live in?
Dallas is near the national average with an index of 98.2.
How much does rent cost in Dallas?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Dallas is $1,500/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Texas statewide average of $1,112/month.
How much does food cost in Dallas?
Groceries in Dallas have an index of 96 (national average = 100). A typical monthly grocery basket costs about $394 compared to the national average of $410. A dozen eggs costs around $4.75.
How much does childcare cost in Dallas?
Center-based infant childcare in Dallas averages $12,800/year ($1,067/month). This is near the national average of $13,500/year. Data from Child Care Aware of America (2024).
How does housing cost in Dallas compare to Texas?
Dallas's housing index is 95 vs the Texas statewide average of 79.4. Median home prices are $360,000 in Dallas vs $295,000 statewide, and 2BR rent averages $1,500/month vs $1,112/month statewide.
How much does transportation cost in Dallas?
Dallas's transportation cost index is 95 (national average = 100). Regular gas averages $3.21/gallon. Transportation costs are near the national average.
What is the average utility bill in Dallas?
Dallas's utility cost index is 102.9 (national average = 100). The estimated average monthly electric bill is $87, compared to the national average of $137/month and the Texas statewide average of $87/month. Utility rates are based on EIA 2024 residential electricity data.
What salary do I need to live in Dallas?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $73,650 in Dallas. Your money goes about as far or further than the national average.
What is the living wage in Dallas?
Based on Dallas's cost-of-living index of 98.2, a single adult needs approximately $49,100–$59,100/year to cover basic expenses (housing, food, transportation, healthcare). For a family of four, roughly double that. These estimates scale the national baseline by Dallas's local costs — actual needs vary by household size and lifestyle.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Texas Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Texas Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Texas — How much house can you afford?
- Texas Tax Brackets — State income tax rates and brackets
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments for Dallas home prices
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Texas statewide averages are used.