City comparison
Seattle vs Dallas Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Dallas (110.6).
Seattle Index
137.2
Dallas Index
110.6
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Dallas Rent
$2,400
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Dallas Home price
$414,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Dallas.
Equivalent salary in Dallas
$91,092
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Dallas.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Dallas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 131 | -53.0 (-28.8%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 99 | -19.0 (-16.1%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 103 | -10.0 (-8.8%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 98 | -11.0 (-10.1%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 97 | -6.0 (-5.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 101 | -15.0 (-12.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $4,980
Seattle / Dallas
Couple
$10,640 / $8,270
Seattle / Dallas
Family
$15,000 / $11,650
Seattle / Dallas
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
View Dallas city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Dallas.
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.