Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Dallas?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Dallas?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Dallas?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,480/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,480 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 22% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,259

+14% in Dallas, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,280

+27% in Dallas, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,500

+26% in Dallas, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,559

+6% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$295,300

+28% in Dallas, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$67,760

+22% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$51,440

+4% in Dallas, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

33.4 yr

+2.7 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

42.4%

+23.1 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

37.4%

+4.0 pp in Dallas, TX

Avg Commute

20.8 min

26.0 min

+5.2 min in Dallas, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

661.9

+557% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

1,149.4

3,412.9

+197% in Dallas, TX

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

67.2°F

+16.1°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

37.6 in

+6.9 in in Dallas, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Bellevue, NE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs DART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

16.4

+21% in Dallas, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$30.48

+96% in Dallas, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Dallas, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / TX)

5.5%

6.25%

+0.8 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Bellevue vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Dallas?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Dallas?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).