Getting a job offer to move to an exciting city like Dallas is a big deal. Who wouldn't be excited about that, right? But a job that pays twice what you're making now is a lateral move if the cost of living in your new city is twice as much as the one you're leaving. So you have to ask yourself if it's really worth it to completely uproot yourself (or your family) and move across the country. Or even across the state.
Or maybe you live in the suburbs or a few hours outside of Dallas and want to be closer to all of the perks you get from living in a huge sprawling metropolis. But another question comes into play. Say you're paying 50% more for rent to live near Uptown or Downtown Dallas. After you cover that every month, will you have enough money left to enjoy the Big D lifestyle you dreamed about?
If all of this has crossed your mind, you're asking all the right questions.
I'm Tiff, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Dallas and other Texas cities. I've been here since 1990. I finished college here and raised my family here. Then I enjoyed a long career in workforce development. That work had me driving to every corner of the DFW Metroplex and even beyond. My grandparents owned a modest but lovely home in Casa View for nearly 50 years. I rented a shabby little house around the corner from them when I was a flat-broke college student. And finally I settled in the country east of the Metroplex. So to say I've been around the block (or a few blocks) isn't an exaggeration.
Dallas living costs a lot more than it did when I came here with bright eyes in 1990. With that said, it's still a lot more affordable than Texas's coastal towns. Or even Austin, for that matter. Your paycheck will go a little further here. In this guide, I'm going to walk you through it one category at a time so you'll know exactly what to plan for if your own broad eyes are set on DFW.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Dallas
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,392 | $556 | $10,000+ |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,524 | $575 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,017 | $669 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,702 | $765 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,340 | $1,254 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Apartments | $12,144 | $2,395 | $10,000+ |
Housing: The Biggest Line on Your Budget
Like anywhere you live, your housing costs in Dallas are what's going to eat up most of your budget. A few specific things will determine how much you'll pay to rent in Dallas.
- How close you are to Downtown and Uptown
- The age of your rental
- New development and growth in the area
In other words, the closer it is to the action and the newer it is, the more you'll be shelling out.
The glossy new high-rises around Downtown Dallas and Uptown are sitting at the top of the market. If you're willing to venture a little further out to neighborhoods that are older but established, you'll get more bang for your buck. Apartments in Oak Cliff or Old East Dallas are worth exploring.
Back in the day when I was renting that shabby little house near East Dallas, I was paying literally a tenth of what some of my friends were paying who lived close to Downtown. And at one point, I rented an apartment in Lake Highlands because it was near enough to my work and school. Much cheaper than if I lived a few miles up the road in North Dallas (I worked at the Galleria Mall).
So it's worth taking the time to do a little research on some of the neighborhoods that make sense for you. Even if you're working in Downtown or the Medical District, you can find affordable housing rental options nearby and still have a short commute to work.
Another thing to keep in mind is that rent costs change with the season here in Dallas. If you can sign a lease in winter, you're usually going to get a better deal than if you're signing one in the summer. The simple math is that fewer people are moving in the wintertime.
An interesting little wrinkle to keep in mind. First, Texas doesn't have a state income tax. Our politicians love to brag about that. And it's not nothing. But believe me, the state gets its money elsewhere. Local property taxes here run higher than lots of places. And I know that when you're renting, you're not going to see a property tax bill in your mailbox. But trust that you're paying for it anyhow because your landlords will fold the cost into your rent. So the "no income tax" benefit isn't as advantageous as it sounds.
Utilities: Your Summer Electric Bill Is the Real Villain
Saddle up cowboys and cowgirls, and get ready for the Texas heat (and the electric bill that comes along with it). And the high electricity bills in Texas are just the tip of the iceberg (the one you'll never see in Dallas).
In Texas, electricity is deregulated. That means you can pick your own retail electric provider in Dallas. No matter who you choose, it's Oncor That delivers the power and keeps the wires up. But you can shop around for a plan and rate that works for you.
Power to Choose is a site the state runs to help you make decisions about this. All you have to do is put in your zip code and you can see what your options are. If you've got good credit or can go with a prepaid plan, some of the providers will waive your deposit. Be sure and ask.
But most important, shop around for your electricity before summer. Your air conditioner is going to be running hard from May through October. And sometimes starting in April and going through November. I've been known to turn on my A/C on Christmas Day. But it's those July and August bills that you've gotta brace yourself for.
The best thing you can do is lock in a fixed-rate plan. With this, your kWh cost will not change unless there are changes in things like the Texas electric grid or ERCOT.
City utilities won't cause you to lose as much sleep as the electric bill. Dallas Water Utilities runs the water and wastewater programs. Trash and recycling goes through the city sanitation department. And thankfully, the cost for these is a lot steadier than what you can expect from the electric company.
Getting Around: Dallas Is (Mostly) a Car Town, Plain and Simple
Texas in general is genuinely not great for people who prefer to use public transportation. And Dallas specifically was built for vehicles. Our public transportation system was very much an afterthought when the city was growing. You'll need to budget for not just gas. Texas insurance rates average almost 27% higher than other areas of the country. And you'll have to pay for parking if you work downtown.
I'll shoot straight with you. This city was built for cars, and most people here drive everything, everywhere. So your transportation budget isn't just gas. It's insurance (Texas rates aren't gentle), parking if you work downtown, the tollways that crisscross the metro, and the plain fact that you will rack up miles.
We have an awesome tollway system that crisscrosses the Metroplex, but it's not exactly cheap either. They can save you a ton of time, but you're gonna get a bill in the mail. We've got the Dallas North Tollway and toll lanes on LBJ (635) and Stemmons Freeway (35E), plus the newer President George Bush Turnpike. Your best bet is to get a TollTag. If you don't have one, it costs more when you get that in the mail.
The DART bus system and light rail are great where we have it. The problem is that there are some areas of the Metroplex that don't even have access to it. If you can manage to live anywhere in the city near a light rail station and you're working in Downtown Dallas, you're golden.
Groceries: Where You Shop Changes the Whole Bill
The good news is that grocery prices are just a tiny bit cheaper than the national average: 2%. Hey, it's not much, but we'll take a win where we can get it! It's really all about where you shop. Fortunately, in Dallas you have a ton of options.
You can find an Aldi in almost every neighborhood. Walmart nearly anywhere you look. A few Trader Joe's scattered around. And Latino grocers like El Rancho Supermercado and Fiesta Mart are shockingly cheap when it comes to meat and produce. We also have the middle-of-the-road grocery stores like Kroger and Tom Thumb. If you go for Central Market or Whole Foods, you already know you're going to be paying a little more.
The cost of beef stays below the national average here. Since my dad's a cattle rancher, believe me, I know more about cattle prices than I ever imagined I would know. If you tend to eat a lot of your meals out, you can manage that on a budget too. In Dallas, we have super cheap taco trucks and some of the finest dining in the country. It all depends on what your budget is.
Daily Living: The Small Stuff That Adds Up Quietly
We've covered the big stuff, but if you keep an eye on your checking account, you probably know that the "little things" can add up quickly too. You'll probably have to have renter's insurance, but it's pretty affordable even in Dallas. If you've got a dog or cat, you'll need to plan to put down a deposit.
One thing to look out for is that a lot of apartment complexes will add on things like valet trash service and fees for amenities. These don't show up in the rent price they advertise. So be sure and read the fine print on your lease before you sign it.
Another thing to keep in mind is sales tax. Remember that no income tax benefit I mentioned that our politicians love to brag about? Well, shocker (not), the state and cities are going to get their money one way or another. And in Texas it's with higher sales tax.
The cost for things like your phone and gym membership is about the same as anywhere else in the country. And there are so many fun things to do in Dallas that are free or cheap. The Katy Trail, White Rock Lake, Klyde Warren Park, and the Fair Park grounds will keep you busy for a year. Not to mention our amazing museums. Fair Park alone has several museums that are completely free.
How to Keep the Cost of Living in Dallas in Check
I've spent all of my adult life watching people move to Dallas and move around Dallas. The best advice I can give you is to pick your neighborhood by the total cost. Not the sticker price on the rent.
Do all the math. And I totally recommend spending some time shopping the affordable neighborhoods in Dallas.
If you're in a cheaper apartment but have to drive a 40-minute toll route to get to work, you may find that your commuting cost is higher than your rent. Living near the DART Rail station at Westmoreland or Downtown Rowlett will pay for itself over and over if you work in Downtown but can't afford Downtown rent.
And if you live in a neighborhood that has an Aldi, your grocery bill may be half of what it would be if you're doing all your shopping at a Whole Foods near Downtown. Take all of these little things into account when you're planning your move.
So, Can You Afford Dallas?
You absolutely can as long as you keep your eyes wide open and do your homework. Like I said, I lived here as a broke college student. And later, as a single mom on a strict budget. We made it work. It was totally worth it. Dallas is one of the loves of my life.
I was paying $450 a month (!!!) for that shabby little house near my grandparents back in the 1990s. You won't find anything that cheap now, but Dallas is still a place where you can live your best life on a regular paycheck. Just be sure you land in the right spot and buckle up for the summer electricity bills.
