Dallas, TX vs Houston, TX: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Houston is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Dallas are 3.8% higher, and housing prices differ the most (102.7 in Dallas vs 97.0 in Houston). A single adult's modelled budget is $2,890 a month in Dallas and $2,698 in Houston.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Dallas, TX | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 101.3 | 97.6 |
| BEA index for the area | 103.1 | 98.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 102.7 | 97.0 |
| Goods | 102.8 | 100.6 |
| Utilities | 90.7 | 95.3 |
| Other services | 99.7 | 95.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $2,890 | $2,698 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,584 | $4,333 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,405 | $5,361 |
| Median gross rent | $1,472 | $1,361 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,354 | $1,194 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,607 | $1,425 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,665 | $1,738 |
| Median home value | $320,700 | $277,800 |
| Median household income | $70,518 | $64,813 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 30.9% | 32.1% |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.5× | 4.3× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 15.91 | 15.91 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $3.58 | $3.58 |
| Population | 1,307,930 | 2,328,253 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Dallas, TX
Dallas price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.3, Housing (rents) 102.7, Goods 102.8, Utilities 90.7, Other services 99.7
Houston, TX
Houston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 97.6, Housing (rents) 97.0, Goods 100.6, Utilities 95.3, Other services 95.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Dallas | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,476 | $1,517 | +$41 |
| Utilities | $511 | $525 | +$14 |
| Food at home | $764 | $747 | −$17 |
| Transportation | $1,616 | $1,570 | −$46 |
| Health care | $605 | $580 | −$25 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $433 | $422 | −$11 |
| Total | $5,405 | $5,361 | −$44 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Houston more expensive than Dallas?
No. Overall prices in Houston, TX (index 97.6) are 3.6% lower than in Dallas, TX (index 101.3), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 97.0 vs 102.7.
What salary do I need in Houston to match $60,000 in Dallas?
About $57,800. Going the other way, $60,000 in Houston buys about as much as $62,300 in Dallas. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Dallas or Houston?
Median gross rent is $1,472 in Dallas and $1,361 in Houston (−7.5% in Houston; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $320,700 and $277,800.
Notes
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources