Quick answer
Dallas is 11% cheaper than Tampa overall. A $100K salary in Dallas is equivalent to $111,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dallas vs Tampa 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 11% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+16% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$111,000
Dallas vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,450/mo
$1,680/mo
+16%
2BR median rent
$1,850/mo
$2,100/mo
+14%
Median home price
$380K
$390K
+3%
Avg monthly groceries
$355
$345
-3%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$175
+0%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
46/100
52/100
Tampa better
Transit score
35/100
34/100
Dallas better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Dallas salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$67,000
$54,000
$80,000
$89,000
$72,000
$100,000
$111,000
$90,000
$120,000
$134,000
$108,000
$150,000
$167,000
$135,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Dallas vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Dallas or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 11% cheaper than Tampa overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Tampa ($1,680/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Tampa $390K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Dallas?
$111,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Dallas based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+16% difference) and state taxes (Dallas: None vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Tampa?
1BR: Dallas $1,450/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (+16%). 2BR: Dallas $1,850/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (+14%).
Does Dallas or Tampa have lower taxes?
Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.