Is Dallas expensive to live in?

Dallas is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,280 per month ranks #23 of 50 and is 5% higher than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Dallas?

Average rent in Dallas, TX runs a studio around $1,259, a one-bedroom around $1,280, a two-bedroom around $1,500, a three-bedroom around $1,559 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Dallas?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,280 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year. The median household income here is $67,760.

How much does it cost to live in Dallas per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Dallas is about $1,470 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

City buildings under blue sky during daytime — Dallas, TX

Cost of Living in Dallas, TX

Population 1,304,379 · Texas

~$1,470/mo est.1BR $1,280Home $295,300

Photo: R K / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Dallas, TX is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,280 a month — 5% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,259 and two-bedrooms $1,500.

Median household income here is $67,760, 11% lower than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,470 before food and transport. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,280

Studio

$1,259

1 Bedroom

$1,280

2 Bedroom

$1,500

3 Bedroom

$1,559

Buying a Home$295,300

Median Home Value

$295,300

Income$67,760

Median Household Income

$67,760

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,440

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.16

Bread (lb)

$1.73

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities16.4¢/kWh

Electricity

16.4¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$24.61/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.96/gal

Regular Gasoline (Texas)

$3.96/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.50

Base Fare (DART)

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (TX)6.25% sales

State Sales Tax

6.25%

State Income Tax (top rate)

None

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime661.7 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

661.7

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,411.8

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Dallas Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 33.4 yrs

Median Age

33.4 yrs

Homeownership

42.4%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.4%

Avg Commute

26.0 min

Climate67.2°F

Avg Annual Temperature

67.2°F

Annual Precipitation

37.6 in

Dallas cost of living — FAQ

Is Dallas expensive to live in?: Dallas is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,280 per month ranks #23 of 50 and is 5% higher than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Dallas?: Average rent in Dallas, TX runs a studio around $1,259, a one-bedroom around $1,280, a two-bedroom around $1,500, a three-bedroom around $1,559 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Dallas?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,280 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year. The median household income here is $67,760.
How much does it cost to live in Dallas per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Dallas is about $1,470 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Dallas with nearby cities

Dallas vs Arlington Dallas vs Fort Worth Dallas vs Austin Dallas vs Oklahoma City Dallas vs Houston Dallas vs San Antonio

Nearby cities

Arlington, TX 18 mi Fort Worth, TX 31 mi Austin, TX 182 mi Oklahoma City, OK 190 mi Houston, TX 225 mi San Antonio, TX 252 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.