Los Angeles vs. Dallas: Salary & Cost of Living
Dallas offers significantly lower costs and no state income tax versus Los Angeles. Here is what a $180,000 Los Angeles salary is worth in Dallas once housing, goods, and taxes are accounted for.
Equivalent salary
A $180,000 salary in Los Angeles is worth about $110,264 in Dallas to maintain the same standard of living.
| Category | Los Angeles | Dallas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 225 | 100 | -56% |
| Utilities | 146 | 100 | -32% |
| Transportation | 156 | 100 | -36% |
| Groceries | 136 | 100 | -26% |
| Healthcare | 130 | 100 | -23% |
| Childcare | 173 | 100 | -42% |
| Dining Out | 159 | 100 | -37% |
| Entertainment | 153 | 100 | -35% |
| Insurance | 140 | 100 | -29% |
| Consumer Goods | 133 | 100 | -25% |
State income tax: Los Angeles 9.3% vs. Dallas 0%.
Median rent (2BR): $3,940 in Los Angeles vs. $1,750 in Dallas. Median home price: $945,000 vs. $420,000.
Dallas is about 39% cheaper than Los Angeles. Keeping your current salary there delivers a real purchasing-power gain of roughly $69,736 a year. Dallas also has a state income tax about 9.3 points lower, adding to your take-home advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Dallas cheaper than Los Angeles?
- Yes. Dallas is much cheaper than Los Angeles, especially on housing, and Texas has no state income tax versus California’s high rates — a double advantage for take-home pay.
- What salary do I need in Dallas to match Los Angeles?
- You can preserve your Los Angeles standard of living on a lower nominal salary in Dallas. Use the calculator above to model your exact equivalent number.
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