salaryDallas is the 3rd-largest city in Texas that we track, with 1,307,930 residents. Rent is higher than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $70,400 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Texas. It is number 286 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Dallas with other big cities
Compare Dallas to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Dallas?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Dallas
| Size | Dallas | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,405 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,425 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,691 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,752 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,184 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Dallas overall?
Everyday prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Dallas
Life in Dallas
What jobs pay in Dallas
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $168,510 | 12.5% |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | 15.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,900 | 15.7% |
| Software Developer | $133,290 | 15.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,980 | 16.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $122,520 | 17.2% |
| Operations Manager | $111,010 | 19.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,870 | 20.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,420 | 20.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,920 | 21.8% |
| Police Officer | $92,910 | 22.7% |
| Accountant | $82,620 | 25.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,240 | 28.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $65,070 | 32.5% |
| Firefighter | $64,900 | 32.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,370 | 32.8% |
| Plumber | $61,250 | 34.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,560 | 35.5% |
| Truck Driver | $59,530 | 35.5% |
| Electrician | $59,010 | 35.8% |
| Carpenter | $48,740 | 43.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,990 | 46.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,100 | 49.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,530 | 54.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,510 | 54.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,490 | 57.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,400 | 63.2% |
| Cashier | $29,910 | 70.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $24,160 | 87.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dallas?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $465 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $320,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $32,070 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dallas, TX?
Renting in Dallas costs a median of about $1,760 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Dallas?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $70,400 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Dallas cheap or expensive?
Dallas is rated OK: rent takes 27.8% of the typical household income of $76,054. It ranks 286th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Dallas?
The median homeowner in Dallas pays $5,075 a year in property taxes, about 1.58% of the median home value.
Is Dallas more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Dallas?
The median home value in Dallas is $320,700, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
1,307,930 people live in Dallas. Numbers are typical (middle) values.