Dallas vs Houston
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Dallas, TX and Houston, TX.
Dallas, TX
COL Index
104
Monthly Budget
$5,200
State Tax
None
Population
1.3M
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Dallas is 8% more expensive than Houston
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Dallas | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,749 | $1,551 | +$198 |
| Groceries | $671 | $629 | +$42 |
| Transport | $829 | $771 | +$58 |
| Healthcare | $411 | $389 | +$22 |
| Utilities | $312 | $288 | +$24 |
| Other | $1,238 | $1,162 | +$76 |
| Total | $5,200 | $4,800 | +$400 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Dallas (TX) | Houston (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 Houston (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Dallas Salary | Equivalent in Houston | Houston Salary | Equivalent in Dallas |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $46,154 | $50,000 | $54,167 |
| $75,000 | $69,231 | $75,000 | $81,250 |
| $100,000 | $92,308 | $100,000 | $108,333 |
| $150,000 | $138,462 | $150,000 | $162,500 |