Cost of Living: Austin vs Dallas (2026)

Austin vs Dallas cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Dallas is about 5% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $105,123 in Dallas.

Dallas is about 5% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $105,123 in Dallas.

Austin vs Dallas: the numbers

MetricAustinDallasDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)98103+5%
Median rent$1,655$1,403-15%
Median home value$512,700$295,300-42%
Median household income$91,461$67,760-26%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $105,123 in Dallas. Going the other way, $100,000 in Dallas is like $95,127 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Dallas.

Compare any salary: Austin vs Dallas

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 98 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Austin.

About $105,123 — that's what you'd need in Dallas to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.