Austin vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Dallas is 13% more affordable than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Dallas, TX

COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexDallas indexDifference
Housing144125 ✓-19%
Groceries10491 ✓-13%
Transportation10592 ✓-13%
Healthcare10793 ✓-14%
Utilities10493 ✓-11%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Dallas

What salary in Dallas gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$52,000$-8,000
$80,000$70,000$-10,000
$100,000$87,000$-13,000
$130,000$113,000$-17,000
$150,000$131,000$-19,000
$200,000$175,000$-25,000

Austin vs Dallas: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 13%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

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