Dallas wins overall by ~23% (COL index)
Cost of living: Austin vs Dallas (2026)
A $66,000 salary in Austin buys roughly what $53,557 does in Dallas (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$5,855/yr
Favoring Dallas for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $488/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~31 months and still keep ~$59/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Austin Texas | Dallas Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $66K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,200Wins | Dallas wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Dallas |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800 | $1,500Wins | Dallas wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Dallas |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400 | $2,000Wins | Dallas wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Dallas |
| Median home price | $480K | $330KWins | Dallas wins −$150K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98 | 95Better | Dallas wins -3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Dallas wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $55Better | Dallas wins −$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $96 | Austin wins +$46/mo | $552/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | $3.05Better | Dallas wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175Better | $180 | Austin wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170Better | $175 | Austin wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $60Better | Dallas wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KWins | $60K | Austin wins −$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40 | $38Better | Dallas wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Dallas wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 122 | 99Wins | Dallas wins -23 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 46Better | Dallas wins +4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Dallas fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Dallas.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Austin and Dallas both benefit from Texas's zero state income tax, but they've diverged sharply since 2020. Austin's tech-driven rent surge outpaced Dallas by 30–40% at peak — that gap has partially closed, but Dallas still offers more affordable apartments closer to major employers for most industries outside tech.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Dallas?
No. Dallas is 23% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (99 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Austin vs Dallas?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month and in Dallas is $1,500/month. Austin is more expensive by 20%.
How much do I need to earn in Dallas to match a $75,000 salary in Austin?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $60,861/year in Dallas to match a $75,000 salary in Austin. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Austin or Dallas?
Dallas has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Dallas has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Austin to Dallas?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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