Quick answer
Dallas is 70% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $30,000 in Dallas.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles 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 70% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-40% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$30,000
Los Angeles vs Dallas: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,450/mo
-40%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$1,850/mo
-42%
Median home price
$850K
$380K
-55%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$355
-19%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$175
+25%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Dallas saves
Walk score
68/100
46/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
35/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$18,000
$200,000
$80,000
$24,000
$266,000
$100,000
$30,000
$333,000
$120,000
$36,000
$400,000
$150,000
$45,000
$499,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Dallas
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Dallas cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 70% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Dallas to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$30,000 in Dallas is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-40% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Dallas: None).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Dallas?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Dallas $1,450/mo (-40%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Dallas $1,850/mo (-42%).
Does Los Angeles or Dallas have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.