DallasMoney Index August 2026
"Where ambition meets affordability."
Dallas — Money Index — Key Facts
- Dallas Quirk. Dallas added more new jobs in the 2020s than any other US metro.
- 27-Minute Commute. Dallas's one-way commute averages 27 minutes — right around the US norm. Roughly 207 hours a year on the road.
- Financial Stress: 56/100. Money stress in Dallas sits at 56/100 — close to the national norm.
- Cost of Living: 103. Dallas's cost of living sits at 103 — basically the US baseline (100 = US average).
- Work-Life Balance: 56/100. Dallas scores 56/100 on work-life balance — average for a major US city.
- Median Household: $67k. Dallas households earn about $67k — roughly 11% below the US average.
- Happiness Score: 66/100. Residents rate life in Dallas a 66/100 — roughly the US average.
- 11% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 11% of Dallas's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
- 51% Own Their Home. Only 51% of Dallas households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- 12% Savings Rate. Dallas households save about 12% of income — close to the US average.
Dallas-Fort Worth has been the #1 destination for corporate relocations — meaning more high-paying jobs at Texas costs.
With a median household income of ~$67k, a 12% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 103, Dallas ranks #31 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 11% of Dallas's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Dallas's average commute (~27 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Dallas household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Dallas's cost of living and savings rate.
How Dallas feels about money
Four Dallas money truths
Dallas's savings rate runs 12% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Dallas runs above the US average, so price discipline matters more here than in most metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Texas residents in Dallas report a 66/100 happiness score with stress at 56/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Dallas added more new jobs in the 2020s than any other US metro."
Money lessons from Dallas
- 1
Stack income, not stuff
- 2
Career capital > stock tips early on
- 3
Buy a starter home; let it season
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Dallas money FAQ
Is Dallas, Texas a good city for saving money?+
Dallas households save about 12% of income, with a happiness score of 66/100 and a work-life balance score of 56/100. Dallas-Fort Worth has been the #1 destination for corporate relocations — meaning more high-paying jobs at Texas costs.
What is the median household income in Dallas?+
The median household income in Dallas, Texas is roughly $67,000 per year. About 50% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Dallas?+
Dallas's cost of living index sits at 103 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 51%.
How long is the average commute in Dallas?+
Dallas's average commute (~27 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
How much urban green space does Dallas have?+
About 11% of Dallas's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits Dallas?+
The Hustler — Ambitious, fast-moving, and always optimizing income.
What's surprising about money in Dallas?+
Dallas added more new jobs in the 2020s than any other US metro.
