Seattle vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Dallas is 36% more affordable than Seattle.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K
VS

Dallas, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexDallas indexDifference
Housing198125 ✓-73%
Groceries14191 ✓-50%
Transportation14092 ✓-48%
Healthcare14593 ✓-52%
Utilities13593 ✓-42%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Dallas

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$38,000$-22,000
$80,000$51,000$-29,000
$100,000$64,000$-36,000
$130,000$83,000$-47,000
$150,000$96,000$-54,000
$200,000$128,000$-72,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 36%.

State income tax impact

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

Housing costs

The median home price in Seattle is $780,000, compared to $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

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