Cost of Living: Dallas vs Washington (2026)

Dallas vs Washington cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Washington is about 6% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $105,620 in Washington.

Washington is about 6% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $105,620 in Washington.

Dallas vs Washington: the numbers

MetricDallasWashingtonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103109+6%
Median rent$1,403$1,900+35%
Median home value$295,300$724,600+145%
Median household income$67,760$106,287+57%

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 $105,620 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $94,679 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas vs Washington

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 103 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in Dallas.

About $105,620 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.