The Cost of living in the Dallas area
May 17, 2021Everything may be bigger in Dallas, Texas and it might be called the Big D but don’t let that trick you into thinking that the cost of living is bigger as well. While your Tex-Mex or your BBQs might be bigger than you could imagine, living in Dallas doesn’t actually break the bank. Compared with other cities of the same size and prominence, the cost of living in Dallas is actually significantly lower. But, of course, your lifestyle and priorities will have a huge impact on the amount of money you’ll be needing to live comfortably in the city. So before you make the move to Dallas, you might want to learn about what it really costs to live here. Here’s a guide to help you.
What Is The Average Cost Of Living In Dallas, Texas?
As per usual with big cities, the best neighborhoods are bound to be more expensive. In general though, a single adult living in Dallas needs around $870 per month, rent not included, for their daily living expenses including groceries, transportation, and food. As for families, say a family of four, you’d need around $3 100 according to Numbeo, not including rent as well. Again, your expenses will mainly depend on the size and location of your property, your lifestyle, and the activities you plan on doing in the city.
How Much Do You Need To Live Comfortably In Texas?
For each state, for each city, and for each individual, the meaning of the word comfortable may be different. When it comes to Texas, the second-largest state in the US and home to almost 30 million people, a comfortable living wage is set at around $63 500 according to Business Insider. Living costs here are lower than the national average and many people rely on the infamous 50/20/30 rule to determine what is comfortable.
Dallas is a big city. It’s the third-largest in the state and home to more than 7 million people. It’s also home to numerous fortune 500 companies plus other companies that make it so desirable for opportunity and job seekers. That’s why it’s understandable for people to think that the cost of living in the city might be high up in the clouds. According to several sources though, you need around $57 000 to live comfortably in the metro. The median household income, however, is at $52 000 and growing.
Cost Of Living In Dallas: What It Looks Like
To really get to know how much you need to live in Dallas though, let’s look at each major factor of living in the city one by one.
Housing Prices
Housing will always be the biggest expense anywhere you live in the world and while housing costs in Dallas are slightly higher than the national average, they’re still affordable compared to many big cities.
The closer you get to the center, the more expensive it is. One-bedrooms may cost around $1 300 to $1 500 while a two-bedroom can cost you $2 000 a month. In more remote, quiet and suburban areas such as Grapevine, Frisco, Love Field or Addison though, you can rent a studio apartment for around $750 or a one-bedroom for around $900. You can even find a three-bedroom perfect for a family for around $1 500 to $3 000. If location is a priority to you and you want to stay close to the center though, the best course of action would be to split rent with a roommate.
Utilities
Apart from housing costs, utilities take another huge chunk in the 50% that people go by in the 50/20/30 rule. For a 900 sq. ft. apartment in Dallas, those bills including electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage can amount to $162 a month. Add that to internet bills and you can have around $220 to pay in utilities per month.
Transportation
Owning a car can be pretty expensive in Dallas so if you want a smooth life in the city, knowing how the transportation system works is key. Fortunately, Dallas has the DART, the Dallas public transport system that serves all parts of the city for reasonable prices. For this, you have to be prepared to pay $2.50 for a one-way trip or $96 for a monthly pass.
Education
Dallas, in general, is a pretty great city to get your education. They have some of the best universities in the country and they also have more than 200 public schools operated by the Dallas Independent School District. For tuition fees though, the average tuition goes from $20 000 to $30 000 per year which can be more expensive than some states like New York but is significantly cheaper than places like Vermont or California.
Food
If you’re a single full-time working adult who often cooks meals at home, you can expect to spend about $3 500 on food every year according to the MIT living wage estimates. But then again, Dallas has too much to offer in terms of the food scene to simply sit it out at home all nights of your life there. From the usual Tex-Mex to Asian cuisine, you’ll find a plethora of delectable food items across the city that begs to be tried. If you plan to take advantage of that, make sure to have at least $15 in an inexpensive place for a meal. Mid-range restaurants would often cost you around $60 per person and much like other cities, you can expect the bill to reach the hundreds with higher-end places.
Healthcare
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, healthcare amounts to around $2,700 per year for one person. One trip to the doctor or the dentist can take away more than $100 from your account. It can also depend, however, on the healthcare plan and program you avail. You have the check out different healthcare providers, compare offers and prices, and pick the right one for you.
Fitness and Entertainment
When it comes to fitness and entertainment, Dallas has plenty of free avenues for those. If you’re really committed, however, to going to a gym for instance, you have to be prepared to shell out at least $40 for monthly membership fees. And if you’re one for the movies, then prepare to have at least $12 in your pocket plus pocket money for the concession stand.
What Is The Recommended Income In Dallas, TX?
The living wage in Dallas is about $15.21 an hour for a single fully-employed individual. The recommended household income for such an individual renting a one-bedroom though would be $17 an hour or about $ 35 280 a year to live comfortably. If you’re renting a two-bedroom, you need to earn at least $20 an hour or more or $42 480 a year. These numbers exclude luxury expenses like those for vacations and entertainment and don’t allow savings.
In general though, in comparison to other Texan cities like Austin or Houston, Dallas is simply the cheaper option. Some things maybe a little more costly but when talking about expenses in this city, there is a lot of wiggle room. With a little bit of good sense and planning, you can enjoy life in Dallas without worrying too much about expenses.
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