Dallas, TX · Washington, DC

Cost of Living: Dallas vs Washington

Living in Dallas, TX costs 5.3% less than in Washington, DC: a $100,000 salary in Dallas, TX buys what $105,620 buys in Washington, DC, based on BEA regional price parities for 2024.

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Dallas vs Washington: prices, pay and housing

Dallas, TXWashington, DC
BEA price parity (U.S. = 100)103.1108.9
Average salary, all jobs$70,630$91,930
Median salary, all jobs$51,440$71,060
Average salary adjusted for prices$68,513$84,429
Take-home on the average salary*$58,518$68,657
Typical home value$366,823$583,013
Median household income$87,155$123,896
Home price / household income4.24.7
Metro population7,807,5556,263,796

*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.

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Equivalent salary: Dallas to Washington

To keep the same standard of living when moving from Dallas to Washington, multiply your salary by 1.056.

Salary in DallasSame buying power in Washington
$50,000 in Dallas$52,810 in Washington
$75,000 in Dallas$79,215 in Washington
$100,000 in Dallas$105,620 in Washington
$150,000 in Dallas$158,430 in Washington
$200,000 in Dallas$211,241 in Washington

Salaries for common jobs in Dallas and Washington

JobDallasWashingtonAdjusted for prices
General and Operations Managers$139,120$163,620$134,950 / $150,270
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$92,820$113,390$90,038 / $104,138
Software Developers$138,810$153,100$134,649 / $140,608
Retail Salespersons$35,160$39,600$34,106 / $36,369
Management Analysts$112,240$145,310$108,876 / $133,454
Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,350$35,550$28,470 / $32,649
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,470$39,660$34,407 / $36,424
Cashiers$30,290$36,630$29,382 / $33,641
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28,460$39,110$27,607 / $35,919
Lawyers$188,640$226,780$182,986 / $208,277
Registered Nurses$100,820$104,590$97,798 / $96,056
Waiters and Waitresses$30,530$51,820$29,615 / $47,592
Managers, All Other$153,070$176,670$148,482 / $162,255
Accountants and Auditors$92,520$113,640$89,747 / $104,368
Security Guards$40,160$54,430$38,956 / $49,989
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary

Adjusted = average salary divided by the BEA price parity: what it buys in a typical U.S. metro.

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Dallas vs Washington: questions

Is Dallas more expensive than Washington?

No. BEA prices are 103.1 in Dallas, TX and 108.9 in Washington, DC (U.S. = 100).

What salary do I need in Washington to match $100,000 in Dallas?

About $105,620, before taxes.

Where do salaries go further, Dallas or Washington?

Washington, DC: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.

Sources and how to read this page

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