City-to-city comparison

Los Angeles vs Dallas Cost of Living

Compare equivalent salary, rent, housing, and regional price indexes before moving from Los Angeles, California to Dallas, Texas.

Quick answer

Dallas is 30.4% cheaper than Los Angeles. A $100,000 salary in Los Angeles needs about $69,600 in Dallas to keep similar buying power.

Base salary
$100,000
Equivalent in Dallas
$69,600
Difference
-30.4%
Metric
Los Angeles
Dallas
Cost of living index
148.0
103.0
2-bedroom rent
$3,200/mo
$1,835/mo
Median home price
$950,000
$425,000
Median income
$69,778
$67,760

Moving to Dallas

Dallas's index is 103.0 versus 148.0 in Los Angeles. Adjust salary for rent, transportation, state taxes, and health insurance before accepting an offer.

Next step

Use the full calculator to test your salary, household size, and target city in more detail.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Dallas more expensive than Los Angeles?

Dallas is 30.4% cheaper than Los Angeles. The comparison uses regional price indexes where 100 equals the national average, plus local rent, housing, and income data.

What salary in Dallas equals $100,000 in Los Angeles?

Using these indexes, $100,000 in Los Angeles is roughly equivalent to $69,600 in Dallas.

What should I check before moving from Los Angeles to Dallas?

Compare real neighborhood rent, state taxes, commuting, childcare, health insurance, and job stability. The index is a baseline, not a precise household budget.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

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How These Results Are Calculated

Each calculator uses standard financial formulas and explicit assumptions to generate educational estimates. Results are based on your inputs and may vary based on rates, taxes, fees, and local market conditions.

  • Public data sources include the IRS, BLS, Census, Federal Reserve, and state agencies.
  • Calculators are reviewed periodically to reflect market and tax-rule changes.
  • These results do not replace personalized professional advice.
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Reviewed by the Founder of GetAffordably

This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the founder of GetAffordably. Financial data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve, IRS, and other public records, and is verified periodically.

Last updated: May 2026