Cost of Living in Dallas, TX [2024]
Big things happen when you move to Dallas. Whether it is dining on an oversized plate of delicious Tex-Mex or cheering on the Cowboys to their next win, everything in this city is done in a larger-than-life way.
The good news is that when it comes to the cost of living in the Big D, the big city shouldn’t break the bank. The cost of living in Dallas is significantly lower than in other comparable large cities across the nation. Read on to learn more about how your most common living expenses will shape up in this Texas city.
Cost of Living in Dallas
What Is the Cost of Living in Dallas?
The cost of living in Dallas is only slightly higher (4%) than the average U.S. city. This makes Dallas the 18th cheapest state in the country. Our data shows that residents spend $4,303 a month on average in Dallas. Dallas and Plano are the only major cities in Texas that currently have a higher than national average cost of living.
How Much Is Rent in Dallas?
As of May 2024, overall median rent in Dallas, Texas is $1,354 a month. For one-bedrooms, that median rate is $1,237, and for two-bedrooms, it's $1,464.
Median rates give you the best idea of what most people pay. For studios and three-bedrooms that are currently available, we also collect information about average rent. Here are rental averages for current (May 2024) apartment listings in Dallas, TX:
| Bedrooms | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,399 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,478 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,117 |
| 3+ Bedrooms | $3,298 |
Learn more about the average rent prices in Dallas and the best neighborhoods to live in Dallas.
How Much Is Housing in Dallas?
According to the latest census data, median home value in Dallas is $270,700, while homeowners spend around $2,068 on housing costs, including their mortgage. Therefore, at a current median rate of $1,354, renting an apartment in Dallas might help you save on monthly costs.
The city’s year-over-year rent growth has increased by 6.2% in comparison to last year's average. Currently, a median one-bedroom in Dallas rents for $1,201 per month. A median two-bedroom will cost you $1,436 a month.
How Much Salary Do You Need to Live in Dallas?
Using a budgeting rule that says rent should not be more than 30% of your income in order for you to live comfortably, you would need to earn around $55,000 a year in order to afford an apartment in Dallas. Similarly, MIT estimates that a single person would need $47,381 to afford the bare minimum in Dallas. However, that budget would not cover savings or entertainment, which are included in the 30% calculation.
How Much Are Utilities in Dallas?
A basic utility bill that includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for a 915 sq ft apartment averages around $268.10 a month in Dallas, Texas. That's slightly higher than the national average of $253.14. Here's how those costs break down:
| USA | Avg Electricity | Avg Gas | Avg Water | Avg Fuel | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $150.93 | $51.12 | $45.52 | $5.57 | $253.14 |
| Dallas, TX | $171.92 | $36.32 | $59.13 | $0.73 | $268.10 |
| Texas | $168.22 | $32.01 | $51.60 | $0.79 | $252.62 |
Beyond the average utility bill, Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) will increase the total monthly cost of utilities by approximately $70.75, totaling $244.33 a month.
How Much Is Transportation in Dallas?
As a big city, knowing how to get around Dallas, and how much it is going to cost you, is key to life here. Expect to spend approximately $10,259 a year on transportation as a single adult. If you are a family of four (two working adults and two children), your transportation cost will increase to $17,208 a year. You can also hop on DART—Dallas public transit system. Prepare to pay $96 a month for a local monthly pass, or $2.50 for a single one-way trip.
How Much Are Food Costs in Dallas?
In accordance with MIT living wage estimates, a single full-time working adult that cooks his or her own meals (including snacks) spends around $3,970 a year on food. However, if you want to take advantage of all the delicious restaurants Dallas has to offer, to say nothing of the plethora of frozen margaritas offered across the city, then plan to spend on average $20 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. A meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant will cost around $75. The city is celebrated for its incredible food, though, so plan your cost of living in Dallas accordingly.
How Much Is Healthcare in Dallas?
MIT used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to estimate typical health expenditure for Dallas residents. The estimates for healthcare amount to $2,929 per year for a single full-time working adult and $9,860 per year for a family of four.
Fitness and Entertainment in Dallas
If you are a gym-goer, be prepared to shell out another $44.69 on monthly membership fees. If your preferred type of entertainment is going to the movies, it will cost you about $13.50 per ticket, excluding money spent at the concession stand.
More Resources about Moving to Texas
Still have questions about moving to the Lonestar state? Here are some guides to help you get started:
Texas
- Things to Know Before Moving to Texas
- Cost of Living in Texas
- Best Places to Live in Texas
- Cheapest Places to Live in Texas
Houston
- Things to Know Before Moving to Houston
- Cost of Living in Houston
- Average Rent in Houston & Rental Price Trends
- Best Neighborhoods in Houston
Austin
- Things to Know Before Moving to Austin
- Cost of Living in Austin
- Average Rent in Austin & Rental Price Trends
- Best Neighborhoods in Austin
San Antonio
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FAQs: Cost of Living in Dallas
How expensive is an apartment in Dallas?
A one-bedroom apartment in Dallas costs $1,237. If you need more space, a two-bedroom apartment in Dallas costs $1,464.
What is the cheapest rent in Dallas?
Our current (May 2024) lowest listing in Dallas is for a studio apartment that starts at $623 a month.
How expensive is it to live in Dallas?
In Dallas, rent averages $1,201 per month for a one-bedroom. It costs $2.50 for a single one-way trip or $96 a month for public transportation. You can expect to pay around $3,351 a year on meals and snacks, or $20 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around $75.
How far is Dallas from Houston?
Driving from Dallas to Houston is 239.1 miles and takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes, depending on traffic. There are also plans to bring high-speed trains from Houston to Dallas.
How far is San Antonio from Dallas?
Driving from Dallas to San Antonio is 273.9 miles and takes about 4 hours and 16 minutes in normal traffic.
How far is Austin from Dallas?
Driving in normal traffic between Dallas and Austin takes 195.6 miles and takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes. Amtrack's Texas Eagle Train also goes through major cities.
How far is Waco from Dallas?
Driving from Dallas to Waco is 96.7 miles and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
What is the population of Dallas?
The U.S. Census Bureau reported a population of 1,288,457 people living in Dallas in 2022. The entire state of Texas has 30,029,572 residents.
Is Dallas cheaper than Houston?
Dallas is currently more expensie than Houston. Dallas rents rose by 6.2% compared to the same time last year and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,201. Houston's rents have grown 3.6% over the same time period, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs $1,062.
What is a good salary in Dallas?
To comfortably afford a one-bedroom apartment in Dallas, you need to earn about $48,040 a year or $24.02 an hour. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated median household income in Dallas of $67,321 a year.
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