Houston vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 5% less expensive than Dallas.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

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

Dallas, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexDallas indexDifference
Housing118 ✓125+7%
Groceries87 ✓91+4%
Transportation88 ✓92+4%
Healthcare88 ✓93+5%
Utilities89 ✓93+4%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Dallas

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$63,000+$3,000
$80,000$84,000+$4,000
$100,000$105,000+$5,000
$130,000$137,000+$7,000
$150,000$158,000+$8,000
$200,000$211,000+$11,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Dallas, 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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

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