Dallas vs Austin
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Dallas, TX and Austin, TX.
Dallas, TX
COL Index
104
Monthly Budget
$5,200
State Tax
None
Population
1.3M
Austin, TX
COL Index
112
Monthly Budget
$5,600
State Tax
None
Population
1.0M
Dallas is 8% less expensive than Austin
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Dallas | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,749 | $1,947 | -$198 |
| Groceries | $671 | $712 | -$41 |
| Transport | $829 | $886 | -$57 |
| Healthcare | $411 | $434 | -$23 |
| Utilities | $312 | $336 | -$24 |
| Other | $1,238 | $1,315 | -$77 |
| Total | $5,200 | $5,600 | -$400 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Dallas (TX) | Austin (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $20,820 | $0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $79,180 | $0 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Dallas salary is worth in Austin (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Dallas Salary | Equivalent in Austin | Austin Salary | Equivalent in Dallas |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $53,846 | $50,000 | $46,429 |
| $75,000 | $80,769 | $75,000 | $69,643 |
| $100,000 | $107,692 | $100,000 | $92,857 |
| $150,000 | $161,538 | $150,000 | $139,286 |
Dallas vs Austin: What the Numbers Say
Dallas is the cheaper of the two, at a cost-of-living index of 104 versus 112 for Austin. On our model's $5,000 national-average monthly budget, that works out to about $400 more per month (8% more) in Austin. The largest single gap is housing, at roughly $198 per month.
Both cities are in Texas, so state income tax is identical and the difference comes down to living costs alone.
Break-even: a $100,000 salary in Dallas leaves about $79,180 a year after federal, state, and FICA tax. To keep the same purchasing power in Austin, you would need about $85,271 after tax, which means a gross salary near $108,658. This assumes a single filer taking the standard deduction and uses one index for all spending, so treat it as a starting point, not a quote.