Austin vs Dallas: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison

Austin's median home value is $461,500 — 70% higher than Dallas's $270,700.

Households earn a median $86,556 in Austin, compared with $63,985 in Dallas.

Monthly rent typically costs $1,549 in Austin and $1,305 in Dallas.

Austin carries FEMA's Relatively High hazard rating, compared with Very High for Dallas.

Metric	Austin, TX	Dallas, TX
Population	958,202	1,300,642
Median home value	$461,500	$270,700
Median household income	$86,556	$63,985
Median gross rent	$1,549	$1,305
Climate risk (FEMA)	Relatively High	Very High

Austin, TX runs higher than Dallas, TX on both median home value and rent — a clear housing-cost edge for Dallas, TX, though only on housing.

Moving between Austin and Dallas

Austin and Dallas are 182 miles apart in a straight line.

What changes when you move	Austin → Dallas	Dallas → Austin
Median rent	−$244/mo (−16%)	+$244/mo (+19%)
Median home value	−$190,800 (−41%)	+$190,800 (+70%)
Median household income	−$22,571 (−26%)	+$22,571 (+35%)

Estimated moving cost (either direction)

Home size	Estimated cost
Studio / 1-bedroom	$618 – $949
2-3 bedroom	$1,820 – $2,772
4+ bedroom house	$3,333 – $5,063

Estimates based on typical per-mile and per-room moving-industry rates; actual quotes vary by mover, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Austin, TX Dallas, TX

209 miles estimated driving distance · 3.5 hours of highway driving

DIY Truck Rental

$336 – $430

Includes an estimated $73 in fuel (21 gal at ~10 mpg) over 1 driving day.

Professional Movers

$1,749 – $2,893

Full-service crew, loading and unloading included.

Estimates based on typical rental-truck, fuel, and professional-mover industry rates; actual quotes vary by carrier, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index

Data last updated July 2026.