City comparison
Dallas vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Dallas (110.6) and Austin (116.9).
Dallas Index
110.6
Austin Index
116.9
Dallas Rent
$2,400
Austin Rent
$2,675
Dallas Home price
$414,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Dallas to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,013
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Dallas and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Dallas | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 131 | 146 | +15.0 (+11.5%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 103 | +4.0 (+4.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 102 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 99 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 98 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 104 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,980 / $5,310
Dallas / Austin
Couple
$8,270 / $8,810
Dallas / Austin
Family
$11,650 / $12,430
Dallas / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Dallas city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Dallas.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.