CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Lancaster is slightly cheaper than Dallas — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $76,300 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing20.4%
Dallas
117.9
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Dallas
102.8
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.0%
Dallas
104.7
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Dallas
94.7
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities+18.3%
Dallas
90.7
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas to see what you'd need to earn in Lancaster to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$76,300
$3,700 less needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.9534. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Dallas has 20.4% lower housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.