Side-by-side comparison

Dallas vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Dallas is approximately 11% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,534/mo in Dallas versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Dallas vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Dallas · Studio

$1,531

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Dallas is $305 (25%) higher than Houston

Dallas · 1 bedroom

$1,606

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Dallas is $327 (26%) higher than Houston

Dallas · 2 bedroom

$1,884

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Dallas is $355 (23%) higher than Houston

Dallas · 3 bedroom

$2,361

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Dallas is $323 (16%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Dallas vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Dallas · Household income

$74,149

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Dallas is $1,045 (1%) higher than Houston

Dallas · Individual earnings

$43,051

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Dallas is $1,313 (3%) higher than Houston

Dallas · Per capita

$41,272

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Dallas is $1,294 (3%) higher than Houston

Home values in Dallas vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Dallas · Average home value

$277,900

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Dallas is $22,900 (9%) higher than Houston

Dallas · Annual property tax

$4,668

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Dallas is $286 (7%) higher than Houston

Energy in Dallas vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Dallas · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Dallas · Monthly gas

$32

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Dallas · Annual total

$2,388

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Healthcare in Dallas vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Dallas · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Dallas · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Dallas · Uninsured rate

21.6%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Dallas is 0.4% (2%) higher than Houston

Taxes in Dallas vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Dallas · State income tax

0.0%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Dallas · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Dallas · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Dallas and Houston are about the same

Transportation in Dallas vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Dallas · Average commute

27.2 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 1.8 min (7%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Drive alone

70.4%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 2.0% (3%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Public transit

1.6%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Houston is 0.5% (31%) higher than Dallas

Monthly cost estimates in Dallas vs Houston

All categories combined.

Dallas · Single person

$3,534

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Dallas is $349 (11%) higher than Houston

Dallas · Couple

$4,909

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Dallas is $373 (8%) higher than Houston

Dallas · Family

$7,528

Houston · Family

$7,187

Dallas is $341 (5%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Dallas and Houston.

Is Dallas or Houston more expensive?

Dallas is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,534/mo in Dallas, Texas and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 11%.

What is the rent difference between Dallas and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Dallas, Texas is $1,606/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Dallas is approximately $327 (26%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Dallas or Houston?

Dallas has the higher average household income. Dallas households earn approximately $74,149 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Dallas and Houston

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Dallas profile Houston profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.