City cost comparison
Houston vs Dallas
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Houston, 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 | Houston, TX | Dallas, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $672 | $700 | +4% cheaper in Houston |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,127 | $1,150 | +2% cheaper in Houston |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $571 | $583 | +2% cheaper in Houston |
| FoodPer child / month | $310 | $320 | +3% cheaper in Houston |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $76 | $78 | +3% cheaper in Houston |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.