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Dallas, TX Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Dallas, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

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Salary needed to live in Dallas →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Roughly 1,300,642 people call Dallas, Texas home. Household income runs $63,985 at the median, below what we see across the broader set of cities (-11%).

Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to Dallas. The median home value sits at $270,700 (below the multi-city median at -17%), while renters pay a median of $1,305 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.

Dallas's home-price-to-income ratio of about 4.2× is fairly typical — housing costs track reasonably in line with local pay. Year-over-year, home prices near Dallas have eased by about 0.12%, a mild cooldown rather than a sharp drop. Climate and natural-hazard risk in Dallas runs on the higher side, per FEMA's Very High rating — insurance premiums often track this closely.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Dallas

Median home value is $270,700 and median gross rent is $1,305/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for Dallas fell 0.12% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,931/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Dallas's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Dallas reported a violent crime rate of 576.8 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Dallas

Planning a move to Dallas? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

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Cost estimates for moving between Dallas and nearby popular destinations:

• Moving from Dallas to Austin
• Moving from Dallas to Houston
• Moving from Dallas to Los Angeles
• Moving from Dallas to Miami
• Moving from Dallas to Tampa
• Moving from Dallas to New York
• Moving from Dallas to Boston
• Moving from Dallas to Philadelphia
• Moving from Dallas to San Francisco
• Moving from Dallas to San Jose
• Moving from Dallas to San Diego
• Moving from Dallas to Chicago
• Moving from Dallas to Detroit
• Moving from Dallas to Minneapolis
• Moving from Dallas to Atlanta
• Moving from Dallas to Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Dallas, TX?

Dallas's key cost-of-living figures: $270,700 median home value, $1,305 median monthly rent, and $63,985 median household income, per the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Dallas?

Dallas's median rent of $1,305/month works out to roughly $52,200 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Dallas.

Is it better to rent or buy in Dallas?

Dallas's median rent of $1,305/month translates to about $52,200 a year needed to rent comfortably, versus roughly $61,935 a year for principal and interest on the $270,700 median home (20% down, 30-year fixed, today's rates). How long you'll stay is usually the deciding factor.

Is Dallas safe?

Per FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, Dallas's violent crime rate was 576.8 per 100,000 residents in 2025.

See the full salary breakdown for Dallas →

Compare Dallas to similar cities

• Austin vs Dallas: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Dallas vs Houston: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Dallas vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Dallas vs Miami: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Dallas vs Tampa: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• New York vs Dallas: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Dallas's.