Quick answer
Dallas is 52% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Dallas is equivalent to $152,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dallas vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Dallas is 52% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+45% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$152,000
Dallas vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,450/mo
$2,100/mo
+45%
2BR median rent
$1,850/mo
$2,750/mo
+49%
Median home price
$380K
$780K
+105%
Avg monthly groceries
$355
$430
+21%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$130
-26%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
46/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
35/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Dallas salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$91,000
$39,000
$80,000
$122,000
$52,000
$100,000
$152,000
$66,000
$120,000
$183,000
$79,000
$150,000
$229,000
$98,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Dallas vs Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Dallas is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓corporate workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Dallas or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Dallas is 52% cheaper than Seattle overall. Dallas 1BR rent ($1,450/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Dallas $380K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Dallas?
$152,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Dallas based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+45% difference) and state taxes (Dallas: None vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Seattle?
1BR: Dallas $1,450/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (+45%). 2BR: Dallas $1,850/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (+49%).
Does Dallas or Seattle have lower taxes?
Dallas (TX) has None state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.