Dallas vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 5% more affordable than Dallas.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Dallas, TX

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

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDallas indexHouston indexDifference
Housing125118 ✓-7%
Groceries9187 ✓-4%
Transportation9288 ✓-4%
Healthcare9388 ✓-5%
Utilities9389 ✓-4%

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

Salary equivalency: Dallas → Houston

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

Salary in DallasEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$57,000$-3,000
$80,000$76,000$-4,000
$100,000$95,000$-5,000
$130,000$123,000$-7,000
$150,000$142,000$-8,000
$200,000$190,000$-10,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Dallas, TX and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 96 for Dallas — a difference of approximately 5%.

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 Dallas is $340,000, compared to $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,380/month in Dallas versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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