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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Dallas Texas: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

3.1% above

Cost of living in Dallas is 3.1% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area (index 103.1; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Dallas is $1,599 a month.

Cost of living in Dallas by category

Overall prices

103.1U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+3.1% vs. U.S.

Goods
102.8 +2.8%
Housing (rents)
117.9 +17.9%
Utilities
90.7 −9.3%
Other services
99.7 −0.3%

BEA 2024 · Dallas metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,599/mo

Median gross rent

+8% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,430 +10% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,735 +16% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,856 +11% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$340,400 −6% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,339 +15% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$176/mo

Average electric bill

+12% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
15.9¢/kWh −13% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$27.17/Mcf +40% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
90.7

EIA July 2026 · Texas statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

26.8min

Mean travel time to work

About the same as U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
68.6%
Work from home
13.5%
Gasoline (Texas)
$3.80/gal −13% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$194/wk

Center care, infant

+12% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$180/wk +17% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$175/wk +21% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$172/wk +20% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Dallas County Details: Child care

Income

$74,323/yr

Median household income

−9% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
26%
Home value to income
4.6×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Dallas

Median gross rent in Dallas is $1,599 a month, 8% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,500–$1,999 range, which holds 33.5% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 23.2% pay $2,000 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $340,400, and 11.1% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Dallas vs. Texas vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Dallas: $1,599; Texas: $1,475; U.S.: $1,487 Dallas $1,599 Texas $1,475 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Dallas: $2,339; Texas: $2,211; U.S.: $2,035 Dallas $2,339 Texas $2,211 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Dallas: $340,400; Texas: $313,200; U.S.: $360,600 Dallas $340,400 Texas $313,200 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureDallasTexasU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,599$1,475$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,339$2,211$2,035
Median home value$340,400$313,200$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Dallas

What renters pay in Dallas Share of renter households paying cash rent in Dallas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.3%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 2.4%. Median $1,599. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $500: 3.3% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 1.3% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 5.4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 14.6% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 18.8% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 33.5% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 12.2% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 5.8% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 2.4% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,599 (Dallas) 33.5%
Show the data table
RangeDallasU.S.
Less than $5003.3%6.1%
$500–$7491.3%6.8%
$750–$9995.4%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24914.6%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49918.8%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99933.5%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49912.2%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9995.8%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4992.8%3.2%
$3,500 or more2.4%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Dallas

Home values in Dallas Share of owner-occupied homes in Dallas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 6.8%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 6%. Median $340,400. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $100,000: 6.8% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 8.1% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 12.6% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 11.9% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 13.8% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 8.1% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 14% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 8.6% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 6% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $340,400 (Dallas) 14%
Show the data table
RangeDallasU.S.
Less than $100,0006.8%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9995.1%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9998.1%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99912.6%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99911.9%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99913.8%15.9%
$400,000–$499,9998.1%12%
$500,000–$749,99914%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9998.6%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9995.1%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more6%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Dallas

Measure Dallas Texas U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,599$1,475$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,430$1,307$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,735$1,475$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,856$1,729$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,339$2,211$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Dallas?

At the median, rent takes about 26% of household income in Dallas. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $64,000 a year.

The median home is worth $340,400, or 4.6 times the median household income.

Household income in Dallas

The median household in Dallas earns $74,323 a year, 9% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 13.6% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 15% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Dallas vs. Texas vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Dallas: $74,323; Texas: $79,721; U.S.: $81,604 Dallas $74,323 Texas $79,721 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureDallasTexasU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$74,323$79,721$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Dallas

Household income distribution in Dallas Share of households in Dallas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 13.6%. Median $74,323. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.9% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 4% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.9% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 8.2% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 10.1% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 13.3% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 9.6% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 5.9% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 7.2% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 13.6% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $74,323 (Dallas) 13.6%
Show the data table
RangeDallasU.S.
Less than $10,0006%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.8%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.4%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.8%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.9%3%
$30,000–$34,9994%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.9%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9994.1%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.3%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9998.2%6.4%
$60,000–$74,99910.1%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99913.3%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9999.6%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9995.9%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9997.2%9.7%
$200,000 or more13.6%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Dallas Texas U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $74,323$79,721$81,604
Median home value $340,400$313,200$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area scored 103.1 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 117.9; the lowest is utilities at 90.7.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Dallas metro area: 103.1; Texas: 97.1; U.S.: 100.0 Dallas metro area 103.1 Texas 97.1 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Dallas metro area: 102.8; Texas: 98.1; U.S.: 99.6 Dallas metro area 102.8 Texas 98.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Dallas metro area: 117.9; Texas: 96.5; U.S.: 100.6 Dallas metro area 117.9 Texas 96.5 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Dallas metro area: 90.7; Texas: 87.5; U.S.: 98.4 Dallas metro area 90.7 Texas 87.5 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Dallas metro area: 99.7; Texas: 97.1; U.S.: 100.1 Dallas metro area 99.7 Texas 97.1 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureDallas metro areaTexasU.S.
All items103.197.1100.0
Goods102.898.199.6
Housing (rents)117.996.5100.6
Utilities90.787.598.4
Other services99.797.1100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Texas paid an average of 15.9¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $176 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $27.17 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Texas averages rather than figures for Dallas alone.

Energy prices: Texas vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Texas: 15.9¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Texas 15.9¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Texas: $176; U.S.: $157 Texas $176 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Texas: $27.17; U.S.: $19.40 Texas $27.17 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureTexasU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)15.9¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$176$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$27.17$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Dallas who commute spend an average of 26.8 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (68.6% of workers); 13.5% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $3.80 a gallon in Texas in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Dallas: Drove alone 68.6%, Carpooled 12.3%, Public transit 2%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.1%, Worked from home 13.5%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.1%. Texas: Drove alone 71.8%, Carpooled 10.8%, Public transit 1%, Walked 1.6%, Bicycle 0.2%, Worked from home 12.9%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Dallas: Drove alone. Dallas Dallas · Drove alone: 68.6% 68.6% Dallas · Carpooled: 12.3% 12.3% Dallas · Public transit: 2% Dallas · Walked: 2.4% Dallas · Bicycle: 0.1% Dallas · Worked from home: 13.5% 13.5% Dallas · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.1% Texas Texas · Drove alone: 71.8% 71.8% Texas · Carpooled: 10.8% Texas · Public transit: 1% Texas · Walked: 1.6% Texas · Bicycle: 0.2% Texas · Worked from home: 12.9% 12.9% Texas · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationDallasTexasU.S.
Drove alone68.6%71.8%69.2%
Carpooled12.3%10.8%9.2%
Public transit2%1%3.7%
Walked2.4%1.6%2.4%
Bicycle0.1%0.2%0.5%
Worked from home13.5%12.9%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.1%1.7%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Dallas

Travel time to work in Dallas Share of workers who do not work from home in Dallas by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.7%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.7%. Mean 26.8 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.7% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 7.1% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 10.4% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 13.9% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 17.2% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 7.9% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 18.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 3.7% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 4.4% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 8.2% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 5.1% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.7% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 26.8 min (Dallas) 18.5%
Show the data table
RangeDallasU.S.
Less than 5 min1.7%2.8%
5–9 min7.1%9.4%
10–14 min10.4%13.1%
15–19 min13.9%15%
20–24 min17.2%14.1%
25–29 min7.9%7%
30–34 min18.5%13.7%
35–39 min3.7%3.4%
40–44 min4.4%4.1%
45–59 min8.2%8.3%
60–89 min5.1%6.3%
90 min or more1.7%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Dallas

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $194 a week in Dallas County, or $10,088 over 52 weeks. That is 12% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Dallas County Texas (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $194$144$174
Center-based care, toddler $180$136$153
Center-based care, preschool $175$133$144
Center-based care, school-age $164$126$120
Home-based family care, infant $172$131$143
Home-based family care, toddler $163$126$132
Home-based family care, preschool $160$124$131
Home-based family care, school-age $151$120$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Dallas prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Dallas?

Median rent is $1,430 for a one-bedroom and $1,735 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Dallas?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 10% pay less than $1,000 a month, 66.9% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 23.2% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

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

To keep the median rent of $1,599 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $64,000 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Dallas more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area at 103.1 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 3.1% above average. Housing rents score 117.9.

How long is the average commute in Dallas?

26.8 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Dallas?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $194 a week in Dallas County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.