Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Dallas
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Los Angeles compared to Dallas?
In Los Angeles, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $79K in Dallas. That means Dallas offers 26% more spending power. Your money goes further in Dallas.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Dallas
$79K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $79K in Dallas vs $100K in Los Angeles
Los Angeles
78.6
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Dallas
62.3
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Dallas is 21% cheaper than Los Angeles
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Los Angeles and Dallas, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Los Angeles median | Dallas median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $157K | $135K | Dallas wins by 8% |
| Accountants and Auditors | $118K | $97K | Dallas wins by 4% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79K | $68K | Dallas wins by 9% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $159K | $130K | Dallas wins by 3% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $237K | $193K | Dallas wins by 3% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.79x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Los Angeles vs Dallas?
A: Los Angeles is approximately 26% more expensive than Dallas, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Dallas is equivalent to about $126K in Los Angeles. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Dallas?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas, you would need approximately $126K in Los Angeles. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Los Angeles and Dallas?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Dallas wins by 8% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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