CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Dallas is moderately cheaper than Newark — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $87,400 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+26.0%
Dallas
117.9
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+7.3%
Dallas
102.8
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+6.1%
Dallas
104.7
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+6.1%
Dallas
94.7
Newark
100.5
Utilities+40.0%
Dallas
90.7
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$87,400
$7,400 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.0921. 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×

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Newark has 26.0% higher housing costs compared to Dallas.

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

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.