Quick answer
Dallas is 16% cheaper than Austin overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $84,000 in Dallas.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Dallas Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Dallas is 16% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-12% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$84,000
Austin vs Dallas: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$1,450/mo
-12%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,850/mo
-12%
Median home price
$548K
$380K
-31%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$355
-7%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$175
+0%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
41/100
46/100
Dallas better
Transit score
34/100
35/100
Dallas better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$51,000
$71,000
$80,000
$67,000
$95,000
$100,000
$84,000
$119,000
$120,000
$101,000
$142,000
$150,000
$127,000
$178,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Dallas
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
FAQs
Is Austin or Dallas cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 16% cheaper than Austin overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Austin ($1,650/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Austin $548K.
How much salary do I need in Dallas to match $100K in Austin?
$84,000 in Dallas is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-12% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Dallas: None).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Dallas?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Dallas $1,450/mo (-12%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Dallas $1,850/mo (-12%).
Does Austin or Dallas have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.