Cost of Living in Dallas
United States
Comfortable budget (single)
$3,508/month
Range $2,215–$3,508/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Dallas?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Dallas for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$7
pint at pub
Lunch
$18.5
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$440
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$97
monthly pass
Gym
$46
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,662–$2,585 | ↑ +5% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $877–$1,385 | ↑ +5% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $69–$134 | ↑ +5% |
| Internet & Mobile | $28–$46 | ↑ +6% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $351–$526 | ↑ +5% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $46–$83 | ↑ +4% |
| Coffee | $4–$6 | ↑ +25% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $88–$106 | ↑ +5% |
| Gym membership | $32–$60 | ↑ +5% |
| Cinema ticket | $13–$17 | ↑ +7% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Dallas — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$1,662–$2,585/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$11,280
Buy outside (per m²)
$6,200
Price-to-rent ratio
20×
Avg mortgage rate
6.8%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Dallas center at ~$11,280/m² with a 25y loan at 6.8% would cost roughly $4,697/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Dallas. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $5,500 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $7,500 | ✅ Yes |
| Marketing manager | $6,000 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $4,000 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $5,200 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Dallas.
Utilize the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system for cost-effective commuting to areas like Downtown, Uptown, and Plano.
Explore the Bishop Arts District for unique local shops, restaurants, and a vibrant cultural scene, offering a distinct alternative to mainstream entertainment.
For more affordable housing options outside the immediate city center, consider neighborhoods like Oak Cliff or Lakewood, which still offer great community amenities.
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,215–$3,508/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,585/mo
- Groceries: ~$526/mo
- Transport: ~$106/mo
Couple
$3,508–$5,354/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,585/mo
- Groceries: ~$526/mo
- Transport: ~$106/mo
Family
$5,077–$7,846/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,585/mo
- Groceries: ~$526/mo
- Transport: ~$106/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Dallas Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,078–$3,231/mo
Dallas Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,828–$2,844/mo
Dallas Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,330–$2,068/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • No state income tax
- • Jobs
- • Airport hub
❌ Cons
- • Sprawl
- • Heat
- • Car required
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.