Quick answer
Dallas is 34% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $66,000 in Dallas.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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 34% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-31% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$66,000
Seattle vs Dallas: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,450/mo
-31%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$1,850/mo
-33%
Median home price
$780K
$380K
-51%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$355
-17%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$175
+35%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
74/100
46/100
Seattle better
Transit score
59/100
35/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living as your current Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$39,000
$91,000
$80,000
$52,000
$122,000
$100,000
$66,000
$152,000
$120,000
$79,000
$183,000
$150,000
$98,000
$229,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Dallas
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
FAQs
Is Seattle or Dallas cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 34% cheaper than Seattle overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Dallas to match $100K in Seattle?
$66,000 in Dallas is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-31% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Dallas: None).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Dallas?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Dallas $1,450/mo (-31%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Dallas $1,850/mo (-33%).
Does Seattle or Dallas have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.