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

Dallas

Texas
97
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Dallas is 72% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,403/mo ↓ 54%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 118%
$67,760/yr ↓ 63%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 168%
$295,300 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 515%
$1,409/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 114%
1,299,553
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dallas, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,662/month cheaper in Dallas, saving renters about $19,944/year.

Median household income is $114,102/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dallas is $295,300 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Dallas or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dallas is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Dallas is $1,403/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,662/month.
Which city has higher income, Dallas or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $114,102/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,403/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Dallas details → View Sunnyvale details →

More Comparisons

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