Quick answer
Dallas is 43% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $57,000 in Dallas.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver 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 43% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-17% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$57,000
Denver vs Dallas: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,450/mo
-17%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$1,850/mo
-18%
Median home price
$565K
$380K
-33%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$355
-4%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$175
+21%
State income tax
4.4%
None
Dallas saves
Walk score
61/100
46/100
Denver better
Transit score
44/100
35/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$34,000
$106,000
$80,000
$45,000
$141,000
$100,000
$57,000
$177,000
$120,000
$68,000
$212,000
$150,000
$85,000
$265,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Dallas
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
FAQs
Is Denver or Dallas cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 43% cheaper than Denver overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Dallas to match $100K in Denver?
$57,000 in Dallas is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-17% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Dallas: None).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Dallas?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Dallas $1,450/mo (-17%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Dallas $1,850/mo (-18%).
Does Denver or Dallas have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.