Cost of living · head to head
Dallas, TX is 5% cheaper than Washington, DC.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Dallas, TXoverall index
103.1
Try your own salary
in Washington, DC
To live the same in Dallas, TX, you’d need about $94,674.
That’s about $5,326 less — Dallas, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Dallas, TX runs 22% lower than in Washington, DC (117.9 vs 151.1), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Dallas, TX
| $50,000 in Washington, DC | $47,337 |
| $75,000 in Washington, DC | $71,006 |
| $100,000 in Washington, DC | $94,674 |
| $150,000 in Washington, DC | $142,011 |
| $200,000 in Washington, DC | $189,348 |
Each row shows the salary in Dallas, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Dallas, TX · housing
117.9
Common questions
Is Dallas, TX cheaper than Washington, DC?
Yes — Dallas, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.1 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 5% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Dallas, TX to match $100,000 in Washington, DC?
About $94,674. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Washington, DC costs roughly $94,674 in Dallas, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Dallas, TX than in Washington, DC?
Housing in Dallas, TX scores 117.9 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 22% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Washington, DC and Dallas, TX?
Overall, Dallas, TX is about 5% cheaper than Washington, DC (index 103.1 vs 108.9), with housing 22% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.