Cost of Living: Dallas, TX vs Riverside, CA (2026)

Dallas

Texas
97
VS

Riverside

California
144

Dallas is 33% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,403/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 29%
$67,760/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 31%
$295,300 ↓ 46%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 84%
$1,409/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 33%
1,299,553
Population
316,241

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dallas, TX and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $409/month cheaper in Dallas, saving renters about $4,908/year.

Median household income is $20,815/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dallas is $295,300 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Dallas residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas vs Riverside — common questions

Is Dallas or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dallas is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Riverside?
Median rent in Dallas is $1,403/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $409/month.
Which city has higher income, Dallas or Riverside?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $20,815/year higher in Riverside.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Dallas or Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,403/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Dallas details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

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