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

Dallas

Texas
97
VS

San Jose

California
254

Dallas is 157% cheaper than San Jose.

$1,403/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$2,617/mo ↑ 87%
$67,760/yr ↓ 52%
Median Income
$141,565/yr ↑ 109%
$295,300 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$1,187,800 ↑ 302%
$1,409/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,775/mo ↑ 97%
1,299,553
Population
990,054

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dallas, TX and San Jose, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 254 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,214/month cheaper in Dallas, saving renters about $14,568/year.

Median household income is $73,805/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dallas is $295,300 compared to $1,187,800 in San Jose.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas vs San Jose — common questions

Is Dallas or San Jose cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dallas is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and San Jose?
Median rent in Dallas is $1,403/month and in San Jose it's $2,617/month — a difference of $1,214/month.
Which city has higher income, Dallas or San Jose?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas and $141,565 in San Jose. Median household income is $73,805/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,403/mo, while San Jose has a cost index of 254 with rent of $2,617/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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