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