Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Dallas, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 71.6% more expensive than Dallas, TX. This translates to spending an extra $5369 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Dallas, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Dallas, TX, you'd need approximately $214,425.743 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Dallas, TX and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 224.1% more expensive than in Dallas, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,765/month in Dallas, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $5369 more per month than Dallas, TX, or $64426 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Dallas, TX

Tap to swap

Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Dallas, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.4K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $214.4K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 71.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,369

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$64.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Dallas, TX

Population:1304K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$292K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:172

Median Home:$885K

Dallas, TX

The Lone Star State

1.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major business center
•No state income tax
•Big Tex home

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceEnergyTransportation

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Dallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Dallas, TX	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,391/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,359more	224.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,298/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $861more	66.3%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$554/mo	↓ $78.07less	12.4%
🛒Groceries	$979/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $60.95more	6.2%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $43.52less	2.5%
⚡All Utilities	$563/mo	$557/mo	↓ $5.46less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 224.1%

Dallas, TX

$2,391

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,359

🚗Transportation

↑ 66.3%

Dallas, TX

$1,298

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$861

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.4%

Dallas, TX

$632

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$78.07

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.2%

Dallas, TX

$979

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$60.95

📦Other

↓ 2.5%

Dallas, TX

$1,774

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$43.52

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.0%

Dallas, TX

$563

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$5.46

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,450

To$1,910

↑ $460

1 Bed

From$1,505

To$2,135

↑ $630

2 Bed

From$1,765

To$2,660

↑ $895

3 Bed

From$2,220

To$3,370

↑ $1,150

Dallas, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,040–$2,470/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,637

Monthly in Dallas, TX

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$6,153

Difference

Home Values

Dallas

Los Angeles

$292K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +27.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$138K - $2.01M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 203% more expensive than Dallas

Calculate payment - Dallas Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Dallas, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Dallas, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.