CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Dallas is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 7.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $86,200 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+28.3%
Dallas
117.9
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+1.2%
Dallas
102.8
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+7.2%
Dallas
104.7
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+7.2%
Dallas
94.7
Seattle
101.5
Utilities+2.3%
Dallas
90.7
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$86,200
$6,200 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.0776. 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×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 28.3% 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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.