Quick answer
Houston is 13% cheaper than Dallas overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $113,000 in Dallas.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Houston 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
Houston is 13% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+13% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$113,000
Houston vs Dallas: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,280/mo
$1,450/mo
+13%
2BR median rent
$1,620/mo
$1,850/mo
+14%
Median home price
$305K
$380K
+25%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$355
+1%
Avg monthly utilities
$190
$175
-8%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
48/100
46/100
Houston better
Transit score
36/100
35/100
Houston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living as your current Houston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$68,000
$53,000
$80,000
$91,000
$70,000
$100,000
$113,000
$88,000
$120,000
$136,000
$106,000
$150,000
$170,000
$132,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Houston vs Dallas
Who Each City Is Best For
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
FAQs
Is Houston or Dallas cheaper to live in?
Houston is 13% cheaper than Dallas overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Dallas ($1,450/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Dallas $380K.
How much salary do I need in Dallas to match $100K in Houston?
$113,000 in Dallas is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+13% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Dallas: None).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Dallas?
1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Dallas $1,450/mo (+13%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Dallas $1,850/mo (+14%).
Does Houston or Dallas have lower taxes?
Houston (TX) has None state income tax. Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.