Cost of Living: Dallas vs Houston (2026)

Dallas vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 4% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $95,673 in Houston.

Houston is about 4% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $95,673 in Houston.

Dallas vs Houston: the numbers

MetricDallasHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10399-4%
Median rent$1,403$1,313-6%
Median home value$295,300$253,400-14%
Median household income$67,760$62,894-7%

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 Dallas has the same buying power as about $95,673 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $104,523 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 99 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Houston.

About $95,673 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.