CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Irvine, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Dallas is moderately cheaper than Irvine — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $88,100 in Irvine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+44.5%
Dallas
117.9
Irvine
170.4
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Dallas
102.8
Irvine
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Dallas
104.7
Irvine
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Dallas
94.7
Irvine
99.1
Utilities+74.9%
Dallas
90.7
Irvine
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas to see what you'd need to earn in Irvine to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Irvine, CA
$88,100
$8,100 more needed in Irvine

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.1018. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Irvine has 44.5% higher housing costs compared to Dallas.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.