What's the cost of living in Dallas, Texas?

What if you could live in a city where the cost of living is well-balanced with quality of life? Dallas, Texas, is an excellent example of this rare combination. 

From its no-state-income-tax advantage to its diverse job market, Dallas offers a compelling blend of financial friendliness and cultural offerings. The “Triple D” not only caters to your budget but also enriches your lifestyle, making every dollar spent an investment in a vibrant and fulfilling living experience. Here’s what you need to know about the cost of living in Dallas.

Housing costs in Dallas

With its diverse neighborhoods and growing real estate market, Dallas offers a range of housing options tailored to different lifestyles and financial situations. The average home value in Dallas as of 2024 is $307,990, reflecting a 1.5% increase over the past year. Rentals, from city-sized studio apartments to sprawling suburban homes, command an average cost of $1,575 per month, with the typical apartment measuring 849 square feet.

Buying a home

For prospective homeowners, the real estate climate in Dallas may paint a picture of affordability compared to other major metropolitan areas. But, as with any market, several factors influence the cost of buying a house—including location. In sought-after neighborhoods like Highland Park and Uptown, the median home value quickly surpasses the city average. Meanwhile, up-and-coming areas like Oak Cliff are typically more accessible entry points into homeownership. Regardless, being pre-approved for a mortgage before beginning the house hunt is a wise step toward securing a favorable deal.

Rental markets and neighborhood breakdown

Rental prices can vary significantly across Dallas's neighborhoods, reflecting location, amenities, and local demand. Area favorites like Deep Ellum offer vibrant communities with a trendy appeal, while the Design District bridges luxury with an artsy vibe. Those seeking more space for their dollar might find the Suburbia of Plano or Richardson appealing, with relative accessibility to the city center.

Finding affordable housing in Dallas

With the right approach and resources, securing a budget-friendly home in this dynamic city is entirely feasible. Keep these tips in mind as you hunt for housing:

• Explore different areas to find a cost of living in Dallas that matches your budget.
• Leverage online platforms that specialize in affordable housing listings.
• Consider the suburbs. Often, suburbs offer more affordable options than the city center.
• Investigate state and local programs designed to help you find affordable housing.
• Connect with a local real estate agent who knows the market well. 

Transportation in Dallas

With its sprawling layout, maintaining mobility in Dallas is a pivotal consideration, and various transport options cater to different needs and preferences. The city's car ownership dynamics, public transit efficiency, and growing culture of walking and biking are integral parts of the transportation landscape.

The cost of owning a car

Owning a car in Dallas comes with typical expenses like fuel, insurance, and maintenance. The average annual cost of owning and operating a car in the United States hovers above $10,000 according to AAA, with insurance costs factoring in around $1,000 of the total. 

Dallas is undeniably a car-centric city, so residents make considerable investments in their vehicles. However, public concerns like pollution and traffic congestion are spurring a second glance at alternative transportation modes.

Public transit and ridesharing

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides a network of buses, light rail, and commuter trains, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of moving around the city. For those who prefer the convenience and flexibility of on-demand services, ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have carved out a niche. Analyzing transit options against daily travel patterns can reveal the most cost-effective approach for your needs.

Walkability and biking

Certain Dallas neighborhoods and the city center are increasingly becoming more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, with infrastructure and initiatives supporting these modes of transit. The Medical District, Victory Park, and portions of Downtown Dallas offer high walk scores and easy access to biking trails, complementing an active lifestyle.

Healthcare and insurance in Dallas

Access to quality healthcare is a necessity no matter where you live, and paying for medical care in Dallas doesn’t come cheap. Medical costs can be a significant portion of a household budget, raising the cost of living in Dallas. That said, the city’s robust healthcare sector is world-class, offering some of the best medical care in the country.

Dallas households devote an average of $5,204, or 7.2% of their annual budget, to healthcare, reflecting costs that can be influenced by employer-provided plans, government subsidies, and individual health needs. Residents are encouraged to explore different insurance options and healthcare providers to secure comprehensive coverage. 

Dallas's extensive network of community clinics and wellness programs also provides services on a sliding scale, catering to people with a full range of financial backgrounds.

Daily expenses in Dallas

The cost of daily living in Dallas includes a range of expenses, from grocery shopping to entertainment activities. The Texan city's retail scene, dining culture, and recreational offerings align with the national average, providing residents with a diverse range of spending opportunities.

Food and utilities cost

Dallas dwellers allocate a considerable portion of their budget to food and utilities, which coincide with U.S. averages. 

According to data from UpNest, the average grocery budget per person, per month, in Dallas sits at $275. As for utilities, the average energy bill in Dallas runs $219.02 per month, according to RentCafe. Employing savvy shopping strategies, such as bulk buying and utilizing energy-efficient appliances, can dramatically lower these day-to-day costs.

When you live in Dallas, you have a huge range of culinary options at your fingertips. The city’s caters to all appetites, from budget-friendly Tex-Mex joints to upscale eateries renowned the world over. Safe to say, in Dallas, your budget for restaurants, fast food, and fine dining can be as small or significant as you want it to be.

Entertainment budget

Cultural engagement and leisure activities are an integral part of the Dallas lifestyle, with the city hosting a bevy of events, attractions, and venues. While concert tickets and museum tours might dig into your discretionary spending, taking advantage of complimentary events and discounted admissions can make cultural enrichment much more cost-effective.

Taxes in Dallas

Understanding taxes is an important part of your financial life, no matter where you’re living. Dallas imposes various taxes that contribute to public services and infrastructure, with implications for household budgets.

Texas stands apart from most states with a tax system that does not impose individual income taxes, offering residents a unique financial benefit. To make up for this, property taxes in Dallas  (at an average rate of 2.22%) contribute to the bulk of local government revenues, funding services and schools.

The sales tax rate in Dallas aligns with the state average at 8.25%. Leveraging tax-free days and discounts can make a noticeable difference in expenditure patterns and overall financial health.

Balancing cost and quality of life in Dallas

The cost of living is often subjective; however, it provides a good gauge of how far you can expect a dollar to go in the city where you live. While, on average, the cost of living in Dallas is 3% higher than the national average, you truly get what you pay for. In this unique city, the connection between cost and quality involves a host of considerations, including job opportunities, education prospects, cultural amenities, and community spirit.

While the cost of living in Dallas can seem expensive to some, there’s potential to raise your household income. The city's burgeoning job market, with sectors ranging from technology to finance, provides a promising backdrop for career growth. In fact, the Dallas-Fort Worth job market has been deemed by Forbes to be the very best in the country. Quality education is within reach, too, with numerous public and private institutions open to those seeking a new skill, degree, or area of research.

The Dallas lifestyle encompasses an array of attractions, ranging from world-class museums and galleries to scenic parks and vibrant neighborhoods. Deciding to make Dallas home involves weighing the city's intangible benefits—such as its rich history, dynamic culture, and spirited community—against its cost of living.

Dallas is where cost of living meets lifestyle

Imagine a place where your dollars stretch further, not just in the housing market but in the vibrant areas of culture, technology, and community spirit. Dallas has long been known for this balance, offering a rare blend of hospitable living combined with an exhilarating quality of life.

As you research your move and the cost of living in Dallas, reach out to the real estate experts at Orchard. We’re here to help you not just find a place to live, but to help you unlock the door to a lifestyle where every penny is a step towards fulfilling your dreams in the heart of Texas.