Cost of Living: Dallas vs Los Angeles (2026)

Dallas vs Los Angeles cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Los Angeles is about 10% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $110,162 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is about 10% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $110,162 in Los Angeles.

Dallas vs Los Angeles: the numbers

MetricDallasLos AngelesDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103114+10%
Median rent$1,403$1,879+34%
Median home value$295,300$879,500+198%
Median household income$67,760$80,366+19%

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 $110,162 in Los Angeles. Going the other way, $100,000 in Los Angeles is like $90,775 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas vs Los Angeles

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 103 — a 10% difference. Your money goes further in Dallas.

About $110,162 — that's what you'd need in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.