Midland wins overall by ~6% (COL index)
Cost of living: Dallas vs Midland (2026)
A $66,000 salary in Dallas buys roughly what $62,000 does in Midland (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
−$4,104/yr
Favoring Midland for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $342/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~44 months and still keep ~$41/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 | Dallas Texas | Midland Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $66K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200 | $950Wins | Midland wins −$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Midland |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,200Wins | Midland wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Midland |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,000 | $1,600Wins | Midland wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Midland |
| Median home price | $330K | $290KWins | Midland wins −$40K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 96 | Dallas wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $13 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55 | $52Better | Midland wins −$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $96 | $35Wins | Midland wins −$61/mo | $732/yr saves in Midland |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $180 | $168Better | Midland wins −$12/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175Better | $178 | Dallas wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Dallas wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60K | $72KWins | Midland wins +$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Midland wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $35Better | Midland wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.50Better | Midland wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 93Better | Midland wins -6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 46Wins | 18 | Dallas wins -28 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
Midland 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 Midland.
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
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dallas cheaper than Midland?
No. Midland is 6% cheaper than Dallas based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 99, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Dallas vs Midland?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Dallas is $1,500/month and in Midland is $1,200/month. Dallas is more expensive by 25%.
How much do I need to earn in Midland to match a $75,000 salary in Dallas?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $70,455/year in Midland to match a $75,000 salary in Dallas. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Dallas or Midland?
Midland has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Midland 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 Dallas to Midland?
It depends on your priorities. Midland 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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