City cost comparison
Austin vs Dallas
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Austin, TX against Dallas, TX.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Austin, TX | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $800 | $700 | +14% cheaper in Dallas |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,283 | $1,150 | +12% cheaper in Dallas |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $615 | $583 | +5% cheaper in Dallas |
| FoodPer child / month | $340 | $320 | +6% cheaper in Dallas |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $84 | $78 | +8% cheaper in Dallas |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.