Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Dallas and Tempe have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while Tempe sits at 114 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $400,000 in Tempe, a difference of $90,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,600 in Tempe.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while Tempe scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) are higher than Tempe (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $56,068 in Tempe. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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