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Dallas County (with parts in Collin, Denton, Kaufman and Rockwall counties) · TX

Cost of living in Dallas

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The cost of living in Dallas comes down to housing, property taxes, insurance, utilities and how you get around. Texas has no personal income tax, so property taxes and sales tax carry more of the load. Here is how each piece works so you can build a realistic budget.

How much does housing cost in Dallas?

Prices change by the week, so use the live market figures on this page rather than an old average. Housing costs swing widely by area, from condos in Uptown to houses in Lake Highlands or Preston Hollow.

The Census Bureau counts about 42% of occupied homes as owner-occupied, so Dallas also has a large rental market. To set your price range, try the affordability calculator and then browse Dallas homes for sale.

What will property taxes add in Dallas?

Your bill combines several taxing units. For tax year 2025, the Dallas County Tax Office lists these rates per $100 of value. Dallas ISD is $0.993835 and the City of Dallas is $0.6988. Dallas County is $0.2155, Parkland Hospital $0.212 and Dallas College $0.106575.

Together that is about $2.23 per $100 before exemptions, for a home in both the city and Dallas ISD. The City Council approved a 2026 city rate of $0.6978. A homestead exemption lowers the taxable value, and the details are on the Dallas property tax page.

What should I budget for home insurance in Dallas?

Hail is the storm cost most Dallas buyers plan around. The Texas Department of Insurance advises comparing coverage, deductibles and whether a roof is paid at replacement cost or actual cash value.

Ask for a quote during your option period, with the roof's age and material. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood, so check the FEMA flood map for the address and price a separate flood policy if the lot is near a creek.

Which utilities will I pay in Dallas?

The City of Dallas provides water, sewer, trash and recycling service. For electricity, Oncor delivers the power in most of Dallas, but you choose a retail provider and plan on the state's Power to Choose site.

Summer air conditioning drives the largest electric bills. Compare plans at the usage level that matches the home, and ask the seller about past summer usage.

What does getting around Dallas cost?

Toll roads such as the Dallas North Tollway are part of many commutes. The North Texas Tollway Authority bills drivers without a TollTag at twice the TollTag rate, so a tag usually pays off.

DART runs 93 miles of light rail on four lines, which can cut parking and fuel costs if you live and work near a station.

What sales and income taxes apply in Dallas?

Texas has no personal income tax. The combined sales tax rate in Dallas is 8.25%: the 6.25% state rate, a 1% city rate and a 1% Dallas transit rate, according to the Texas Comptroller.

Common questions

Does Dallas have a city income tax?

No. Texas has no personal income tax, and Dallas does not levy one. Local services are funded mostly by property and sales taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Dallas?

The Texas Comptroller lists a combined rate of 8.25% in Dallas. That is 6.25% for the state, 1% for the city and 1% for Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

What is the property tax rate in Dallas?

It depends on the taxing units at the address. For tax year 2025, a home in the City of Dallas and Dallas ISD faced about $2.23 per $100 of value before exemptions. Check the exact account on the Dallas Central Appraisal District site.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Dallas, Irving, Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Lewisville cities, Texas, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Uptown, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Deep Ellum, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Lakewood, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Lake Highlands, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Oak Cliff, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Preston Hollow, Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Far North Dallas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  10. DART Rail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Airport Facts & Figures, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Dallas Love Field, City of Dallas Department of Aviation (read 2026-09-24)
  13. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Dallas ISD: Enroll / Find Your School, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Dallas ISD Magnet Programs, Dallas Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Texas School Report Cards (TXschools.gov), Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Special Purpose Districts, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Notice to Purchaser of Special Taxing or Assessment District (TREC 59-0), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Homestead Exemption Application Filing, Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  22. About Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Power to Choose, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Sanitation Services, City of Dallas (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Friends of the Katy Trail, Friends of the Katy Trail (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas Arboretum (read 2026-09-24)
  27. 2025 Tax Rates, Dallas County Tax Office (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Dallas leaders approve $5.66 billion budget after 14-hour debate, CBS News Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Texas Sales and Use Tax Rates – July 2026, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Valuing Property, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  33. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Dallas Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2021, Chapter 3: General Compliance, UpCodes (City of Dallas adopted code) (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Building Inspection: Frequently Asked Questions, City of Dallas Development Services (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 757.002 – Application, Texas Health and Safety Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Texas Property Code Section 82.157 – Resale of Units, Texas Property Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  38. 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program Types, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (read 2026-09-24)
  39. HomeStyle Renovation mortgage, Fannie Mae (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  41. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  42. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  43. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  44. Texas Water Code Section 49.452 – Notice to Purchasers, Texas Water Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.