City Comparison · 2026
Dallas vs Houston
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Dallas = $96k in Houston
Metric
Dallas
Houston
COL Index
1.13
✓1.08
1BR Monthly Rent
$1,500/mo
✓$1,400/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,900/mo
✓$1,780/mo
State Income Tax
TX
TX
$100k Take-Home
$78,736
$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
21.26%
21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$60,736
✓$61,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Dallas TX | Houston TX |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or Houston cheaper to live in?
Dallas has a cost-of-living index of 1.13 while Houston is 1.08 (1.00 = US average). Houston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Dallas is $1,500/month vs $1,400/month in Houston.
How much more do you need to earn in Dallas vs Houston?
$100k in Dallas = $96k in Houston. Cost of living in Houston is lower by 4.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Dallas or Houston?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in TX (Dallas) and $78,736 in TX (Houston). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $60,736 in Dallas vs $61,936 in Houston.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideDallas vs New York City cost of livingDallas vs Los Angeles cost of livingDallas vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in DallasCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in DallasRegistered Nurse salary in DallasWhere does $100k rank nationally?