Cost of Living in Dallas, GA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dallas, GA

Knowing the cost of living in Dallas allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Dallas stands at 96, marking it 4% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Dallas aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Dallas residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Dallas?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 11 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Dallas. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 55% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 45% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Dallas Affordable?

Is Dallas an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Dallas is 12% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Dallas has a median household income of $49,589, which is 10.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dallas?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Dallas, the groceries index registers 2.9% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Dallas, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Dallas, the transportation index stands at 4.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Dallas, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.